County Championship Division I | Dogged resistance from Gloucestershire proves insufficient as they suffer innings defeat

Gloucestershire displayed impeccable determination on a gripping and edge-of-the-seat final day. But the visitors failed to avoid an innings defeat at the hands of Lancashire. With four overs remaining in the day’s play, Jared Warner edged one to the keeper to usher in celebration in the Lancashire camp.

Gloucs resumed the day on 67/3, still trailing by 237 runs. Soon, captain Graeme van Buuren fell to leg-spinner Matt Parkinson on 15. And Ryan Higgins went back on a golden duck on the very next ball, leaving Gloucestershire reeling at 86/5. 

Parkinson’s double blow hinted at an early end to the match. Even the other overnight batter, Miles Hammond, fell after reaching his half-century, with the scoreboard reading 122/6. Zafar Gohar became Parkinson’s third victim as he was bowled through the gates. 

The end seemed nigh, but Gloucestershire’s lower order had other ideas. Tom Lace (71) was involved in two fighting partnerships. With Josh Shaw (29), he added 79 runs for the eighth wicket. Then, Hasan Ali broke through Shaw’s defences to bring Jared Warner to the crease. 

Lace faced 201 balls for his 71, and Warner battled on for 119 balls for his 10. With the duo defying all odds, Gloucestershire’s hopes of saving the match got enhanced. However, Saqib Mahmood cleaned up Lace, ending his resilient watch. And Jared Warner was the last one to fall as Hasan Ali claimed his third.

Brief scores

Lancashire won by an innings and 57 runs

Gloucestershire 252/10 (1st innings)

Marcus Harris 67, Chris Dent 52 

Hasan Ali 47/6

Lancashire 556/7 declared (1st innings)

Josh Bohannon 231, Dane Vilas 109

Zafar Gohar 135/4

Gloucestershire 247/10 (2nd innings) 

Tom Lace 71

Matt Parkinson 79/3

Hasan Ali 49/3