Fresh Fit Document – Durham vs Gloucs 2023

Durham 393 for 9 (Clark 100, de Leede 65, Borthwick 53) vs Gloucestershire

Encountering a flat pitch and batter-friendly climate for the primary time this season, the guests received the toss and ran up 393 for 9 by way of the shut, thank you largely to a excellent partnership of 124 in 34.4 overs for the 6th wicket between Clark and Bas de Leede. There was once additionally a part century for captain Scott Borthwick, whilst opener Alex Lees and in-form wicketkeeper-batsman Ollie Robinson contributed 41 and 40 respectively.

A Gloucestershire facet disadvantaged via damage of captain Graeme van Buuren, skilled strike bowler Service provider de Lange and main wicket-taker Tom Value fought arduous all the way through, chipping away on the most sensible and center order and making Durham graft for his or her runs on a most often sluggish Bristol pitch. Gradual left armer Zafar Gohar claimed 4 for 104 and seamer Ajeet Singh Dale 2 for 73 because the hosts caught to their job manfully.

However the guests ultimately took regulate within the ultimate consultation, Clark elevating precisely 100 from 155 balls, with 13 fours and a six, and de Leede, making most effective his 3rd first class look, registering a Championship-best rating of 65 to position their facet in credit score.

Most sensible of the desk after 3 wins from 5 video games and brimful of self belief, Durham have received a name for taking part in ‘Bazball’ taste cricket this season. However they had been made to consider carefully by way of Singh Dale, who has placed on a backyard of tempo over the wintry weather.

Bending his again and summoning no little jump and motion off the seam, he accounted for Michael Jones within the 3rd over, the Scottish batsmen failing to provide a shot and taking a look again in horror as off and center stumps had been dislodged. It was once a long way from undeniable crusing for the guests and Borthwick was once passed a existence on 20 when edging debutant Zaman Akhter to 2nd slip the place the typically dependable Chris Dent allowed alternative to slide via his arms. He then survived a assured lbw enchantment from the similar bowler as Gloucestershire’s seamers endured to make existence tough.

Having grafted their technique to 50 within the first hour, Durham’s 2nd wicket pair moved up throughout the gears, Lees particularly going after sluggish left armer Zafar. Nonetheless to search out the rhythm that begets consistency of line and duration, Akhter additionally proved pricey.

Below drive, Gloucestershire stood their floor and had been rewarded when Lees, having crafted 41 from 64 balls, drove Shaw to backward level the place Zafar took a startling catch. Having shared in a stand of 71 for the second one wicket, Borthwick then added an additional 63 in partnership with David Bedingham both sides of lunch as Durham flourished. Borthwick went to 50 from 73 balls by way of his 9th 4, punched via mid-off on the expense of Dale.

As soon as once more, Gloucestershire caught to their job and Borthwick, having assiduously have shyed away from being tempted by way of the fast ball, however fell right into a carefully-laid lure, pulling Dale and succumbing to a super catch by way of Miles Hammond at backward level for 53. When Bedingham clipped Matt Taylor to mid-wicket within the subsequent over, Durham had been 149 for 4, their place of energy in critical risk of being eroded.

New batsmen Robinson and Clark tried to wrest again regulate in a diligent alliance of 65 in 16 overs for the 5th wicket, just for the previous to backside edge a catch at the back of off Zafar and leave for 40 when a fourth part century of the season gave the impression his for the taking.

Lowered to 214 for five and nonetheless near to being held in take a look at, Durham had been thereafter indebted to Clark and de Leede, who labored arduous to combat again the initiative and ultimately verify northern supremacy throughout the overall consultation.
Enjoying for most effective the second one time this season, de Leede matched Clark blow for blow in a resilient innings that spanned 117 balls and integrated 11 fours.

The Dutchman was once taking a look to turn out to be extra expansive when he fell to the brand new ball within the closing hour, stumped by way of stand-in Gloucestershire captain James Bracey off the bowling of Zafar.

Gloucestershire’s in a foreign country employed hand recovered neatly after his first 4 overs went for 33 within the morning consultation, pinning Ben Raine lbw for 2 to guide a spirited fightback within the early-evening sunshine. However the indomitable Clark nonetheless had the overall say, running Zafar to sq. leg and punching the air sooner than even he had finished the one which signaled his first century since 2017.

He was once out subsequent ball, trapped lbw by way of Zafar, and there was once nonetheless time for Akhter to say his first Championship wicket, Hammond taking a surprising diving catch at level to take away Matthew Potts with out scoring.