On the second day of this County Championship encounter at Bristol, Gloucestershire bowled out Sussex for 311 thanks to a wicket-taking effort of 6 for 76 from Zafar Gohar, his 300th first class wicket.
However, despite the left-arm spinner’s best efforts, Sussex, the Division Two leaders, managed to take a commanding 202 lead after the first innings, with Jack Carson top-scoring with 71 and joining skipper John Simpson, who struck 61, in a seventh-wicket stand of 112.
Gloucestershire was still behind by 62 runs at the end of their second innings, having scored 140 for 3. Miles Hammond scored 41 and Chris Dent, who had struggled away for 157 balls, was undefeated at 61.
With Sussex at 149 for 4 at the start of the day, they were 40 runs ahead. Gloucestershire began with Gohar from the Pavilion End, and with the total on 161, he delivered his first blow by bowling James Coles for 46 while attempting a reverse-sweep, given the pitch’s predicted growing spin.
After 19 more runs were added, Henry Crocombe attempted to knock Gohar back over his head but skyed a catch to mid-on, killing another Sussex man. Simpson too got off to a fast start, hitting the Pakistani spinner for six over far on before settling in to establish what could be a winning lead with Carson.
Neither appeared to be too bothered. Shortly after the second new ball was taken, Carson clipped his toes for four off Tom Price to bring the score to 250. The Sussex all-rounder then reached a 76-ball fifty with nine boundaries in the same over.
After Sussex gained 110 runs in the morning to take a 150-run advantage, the scoreboard at lunch read 259 for 6. Simpson was 34 not out and Jack Carson was 56 without a loss.
During the afternoon session, Simpson hit Price with a beautiful cover drive for four runs. He then quickly reached his half-century off 96 deliveries with five fours and a six. When Carson pulled a wide ball from Gohar onto his stumps, he and he had expanded his side’s lead to 183. Carson had already reached 13 boundaries.
A further eight runs allowed for a second batting point. However, Bertie Foreman’s maiden first-class innings proved to be disappointing as he made just two runs when he was bowled through the gate by a twisting delivery from Gohar.
After taking four wickets with confidence, Gohar got Simpson to push forward, and he pinned Jaydev Unadkat, the last man, for a leg before wicket to record his 300th first-class wicket in an 11-year career. However, a lead of more than 200 on a dry surface may make Sussex feel quite happy and begin to live up to pre-match expectations.
With little warnings, Dent and Joe Phillips, the Gloucestershire openers, quickly reduced the lead to 43 runs, with Dent hitting Carson over long off for six. However, as a warning, the off-spinner had turned his opening delivery of the innings sharply.
With his fifth wicket of the game, Unadkat ended the partnership by trapping Phillips at the crease and bowling him leg before for 21. Gloucestershire were 53 for 1 from 18 overs by teatime, and Dent was undefeated at 22 and appeared determined to make a challenge of it.
Those aspirations were dashed early in the last session when Ollie Price, on 11, was caught by Tom Haines with a reflex slip. The Gloucestershire man had moved down the pitch to target an attacking blow off Carson, but Haines stuck out his left hand to hold the most promising of opportunities.
The hosts were still behind by 143 runs at 59 for 2. As the late afternoon sky cleared, Dent and Hammond got to work trying to get their team back into the game.
After a protracted layoff due to worry, Dent recently rejoined Gloucestershire’s red ball team. He reminded everyone of his form, which has resulted in over 11,000 first-class runs and a 126-ball half-century with seven fours and a six.
Also Read: Essex is in control as 19 wickets fall at Edgbaston
When Carson’s delivery was pitched up outside off stump and Hammond was tempted to score a four, he appeared equally at ease and had already faced 75 balls and had edged a drive through attempt to wicketkeeper Simpson. With Dent for 79 in 26.1 overs, Gloucestershire had hope.
India
