LONDON, CMC – West Indies Test captain Kraigg Brathwaite featured in a half-century stand as Gloucestershire completed a straightforward run chase to beat Somerset by eight wickets on the final day of their County Championship contest here yesterday.
Resuming on 28 for one at Taunton’s County Ground in pursuit of 153, the visitors easily overhauled their target just before lunch, with wicketkeeper James Bracey hitting a polished unbeaten 83.
Brathwaite, on eight on the start, went on to make 36 in a 79-run, second wicket stand with Bracey which put Gloucestershire in sight of victory.
The right-handed Brathwaite struck four fours off 62 balls in 1-¾ hours while Bracey, resuming on ten, counted 13 fours off 122 deliveries in just under 2-¾ hours.
When Brathwaite dragged on a drive at Marchant de Lange, Gloucestershire required only a further 64 runs, and Bracey put on 67 for the third wicket with Tom Lace (20 not out) to settle the issue.
At Derby’s County Ground, Alzarri Joseph made four as part of Worcestershire’s tail as the visitors forced a draw with Derbyshire on the final day.
Set an improbable 398 from 84 overs after Derbyshire declared on 312 for five after resuming on 268 for five, Worcestershire recovered from 83 for six to end on 193 for eight.
At the Oval, opener Hassan Azad hit an unbeaten 144 to defy West Indies seamer Kemar Roach and the Surrey attack, and earn Leicestershire a comfortable draw.
Resuming on 21 without loss and needing to address arrears of a further 276 runs to avoid an innings loss, Leicestershire marched to 295 for three, with Roach ending wicket-less from 16 overs which cost 59 runs.
At St Lawrence Ground in Canterbury, West Indies pacer Miguel Cummins tasted defeat as Kent lost by 200 runs to Yorkshire.
Beginning the final day on 33 for two faced with a mammoth target of 445 runs, Kent collapsed for 244 with Cummins scoring 12.
