Balcombe Blitz Puts Result Back in the Offing

Report from day three of Hampshire's LV= County Championship match against Gloucestershire at Bristol

Gloucestershire v Hampshire
LV= County Championship
Day Three: Wednesday 8 August 2012
Bristol

Summary: Gloucestershire lead Hampshire by 97 runs
with six wickets remaining in the second innings
Gloucestershire: 271 & 102-4 
Hampshire: 276
Scorecard

Gloucestershire Team
Nicol, Howell, Housego, Gidman*, Marshall, Cockbain, Coughtrie†, Muchall, Saxelby, Payne, Norwell
Hampshire Team
Adams*, McKenzie, Shafayat, Katich, Dawson, Ervine, Bates†, Mascarenhas, Balcombe, Ali, Tomlinson 

A day three David Balcombe blitz which, at one point, saw him take 3-13 off six overs, may have given Hampshire the initiative they need to go on and claim victory in this LV= County Championship match against Gloucestershire at Bristol.

He helped reduce his opposition to 72-4 at one point before a 30-run partnership between Dan Housego (24*) and Ian Cockbain (15*) showed some resistance to help the hosts to 102 without further loss at close (a lead of 97 in the second innings).

Earlier in the day, Hants batsman Neil McKenzie fell just six runs short of a second First Class century in as many appearances. The South African, who missed his side’s last match against Kent through injury but made 139 against Essex the week before, scored 94 here to anchor the visitors’ innings as they reached 276 in reply to their opponents’ 271 – a first-innings lead of just five runs.

It also means that both sides will finish with five bonus points (three for bowling, two for batting) and are now competing for either eight (for a draw) or 21 (for a win) points in total; either of which could be enough to take Hants back to second in the table and the promotion places, depending on results elsewhere.

The visitors started the day with positive intent. Having returned on 104-2, Simon Katich (31) was quickly into the swing of things, hitting David Payne for two fours in first full over of the day. And that was followed by McKenzie firing the first six of the match, as well as a four, off one Ian Saxelby over to take Hants through the 150 mark.

Unfortunately, by that time the opener would have already lost his overnight partner and he would soon lose his replacement as Liam Dawson (14) was caught at extra cover off the bowling of Rob Nicol; Hants 182-4.

Nevertheless, Hampshire were still enjoying some luck (some sloppy fielding allowing an all-run four to take the team through 200) and, promisingly, they still had McKenzie [pictured below] at the crease... until, that was, the stroke of lunch. As the clock ticked past 1pm, Payne sent down a delivery that had the former Test opener beaten; Hants 218-5 at the break.

All the more important, then, that, with Hampshire just 53 runs behind Gloucs’ first innings score at that stage, they could find a decent partnership in the early afternoon to give them the chance to build a big score. Sadly, that never happened as Michael Bates (8) then Dimi Mascarenhas (16) – still suffering with a shoulder injury – fell in relatively quick succession.

Sean Ervine, therefore, was the last recognised batsman at the crease and he chipped in with a gritty knock of 44 off 104 balls but, in the end, his team lost their last five wickets for 37 runs.

So, honours even at the halfway stage in the innings. But with just four sessions left in the game, the visitors knew they couldn’t allow this Gloucestershire side – who would probably be happy with a draw given the sides’ positions in the table - to get serious runs on the board if they were to force the result.

And though they let them get the first 50 runs on the board untroubled, they then took four wickets for the price of 21 runs.

Balcombe (3-19* off nine overs) got Nicol to edge to first slip, then took the dual wickets of Alex Gidman (2) and Hamish Marshall (4) within three balls. In between, Ervine (1-23* off seven) would have former Hampshire all-rounder Benny Howell (36) snaffled at first slip by McKenzie.

And though Housego and Cockbain would then see their side through to close relatively untroubled, they'll know that the morning session on day four is absolutely crucial. Don't see it through and the odds will be heavily stacked in Hampshire's favour.

Catch Up:

Preview:	Hants Hoping to Overcome Injury Concerns for Bristol
Day One:	Late Wickets Leave Hamsphire in Charge
Day Two:	McKenzie Fifty Leads Hants at Rainy Bristol

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Words: Simon Vincent

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