Glos v Kent: Bowlers bag bonus points in Bristol
Monday 18th May 2015
Kent's bowlers gave the visitors the upper hand as Gloucestershire were dismissed for 193 on day one of the LV= County Championship match at Bristol.
Peter Handscomb's third half-century in his last four LV= County Championship innings was the only resistance as Matt Coles and Darren Stevens took three wickets each with a pair apiece for Calum Haggett and Ivan Thomas.
The Australian's 69 was the top score after the home side had been put in on a day reduced to 67 overs by heavy rain, which wiped out the morning session.
By the close Gloucestershire had been bowled out for a meagre 193 as Kent collected full bowling bonus points.
Gloucestershire openers Chris Dent and Gareth Roderick put on 36 by the 16th over with few alarms but Dent was then caught at second slip for 11 by Coles off Haggett just when it seemed he had helped to see off the new ball.
Still the pitch offered no great threat and Gloucestershire had progressed to 61 in the 26th over when Roderick was deceived by an outswinger from the wily Stevens, edging through to keeper Sam Billings and departing for 28.
It was 87 for two at tea, with both Cockbain and Handscomb unbeaten on 20. Cockbain added only four in the final session before having his off-stump clipped by a ball from Coles that appeared to nip off the seam.
Hamish Marshall soon followed for a duck, popping up a caught and bowled chance to Coles, and suddenly Gloucestershire were in trouble at 93 for four.
That became 129 for five in the 49th over when Geraint Jones, on 13, was bowled through the gate by Haggett pushing forward.
Handscomb reached a solid half-century off 85 balls, with seven fours, but lost another partner with the score on 164 as Kieran Noema-Barnett fell leg before to Stevens for eight.
The following over from Coles saw Handscomb edge a catch to Billings, at which point the bowler had figures of three for 30 having delivered seven maidens in his 16.1 overs.
The clatter of wickets continued, with Stevens sending back Craig Miles for four to leave Gloucestershire 176 for eight and in danger of failing to collect a batting point.
David Payne and Liam Norwell added 17 before the latter was caught behind off Thomas, who quickly followed up by removing Matt Taylor to end the day's play.