County Championship 2022 Division One | Dent, Harris pile runs as game heads towards draw

The fightback of Gloucestershire with the bat continued on Day 3 against Surrey, where the former is still trailing by 160 runs as a ton from Marcus Harris and an unbeaten double century from Chris Dent saw the hosts post 443 for the loss of two wickets before stumps on Day 3 in the County Championship 2022 Division One game at Bristol.

Gloucestershire began the day on 86 for no loss, with both openers Harris and Dent being the overnight batter. The duo put together a record-breaking alliance of 296 runs before Colin de Grandhomme dismissed Harris for 124 off 209. 

The home side was withstanding the setback before Jordan Clark bowled out James Bracey without opening the account. The pitch was challenging the batters as the ball was moving, and those who were bowling a full-length enjoyed bowling at this surface. 

After Bracey walked in, Miles Hammond, who looked set from the ball one and joined forces with already set-batter Dent to frustrate the opposition bowlers. Dent, who already shared a record-breaking coalition with opener Harris, went on to stage an unbroken third-wicket stand of 146 with Hammond to propel Gloucestershire to 443 for 2. 

For Surrey, it wasn't their day as none of their bowlers except Reece Topley could manage to keep the hosts silent. Though Colin de Grandhomme and Jordan Clark got one wicket each, it was Topley who bowled in the right line and length to support Gloucestershire's batters on the backfoot.

The home team is still trailing by 160 runs and must be looking to achieve it on the fourth day and add their share of numbers to invite the opposition to face them in the next innings.   

Brief Scores: 

Gloucestershire - 443/2 (120) 

Dent 207*, Harris 124, Hammond 75*;

de Grandhomme 53/1, Clarke 128/1

Surrey - 603/10 (165.4)

Smith 234*, Clark 137 

Gloucestershire trail by 160 runs.