Price and Hammond Put Gloucestershire 131 Ahead at Cheltenham

Ollie Price and Miles Hammond hit half-centuries as Gloucestershire recovered to lead Worcestershire by 131 runs after day three of their County Championship Division Two match at Cheltenham College. Gloucestershire closed on 248-3 in their second innings, with Price unbeaten on 63 and James Bracey not out on 45.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtLqZbUhDQ8

BBC Sport, carrying a report from the ECB Reporters' Network, said Gloucestershire began the innings 117 runs behind after Worcestershire made 267. Brett D'Oliveira top-scored with 83 from 183 balls, an innings that included eight fours and a six, while Beyers Swanepoel contributed 42 from 62 deliveries. Their eighth-wicket stand added 71.

Worcestershire resumed the day on 205-7 and added 62 runs during the morning. Will Williams bowled Swanepoel and then trapped Ben Allison in front, finishing with 3-52. Slow left-armer Sai Kishore ended D'Oliveira's resistance and returned 4-76 as Gloucestershire eventually dismissed the visitors.

Cameron Bancroft and Joe Phillips then put on 50 as the home side began reducing the deficit. Swanepoel removed both batters in a sharp spell, having Phillips caught behind for 34 before dismissing Bancroft for 37. Gloucestershire were still 40 runs behind when Hammond survived the hat-trick delivery.

Hammond and Price rebuilt with a third-wicket partnership of 113. Hammond reached 50 from 102 balls and Price followed from 110 deliveries, while their century stand required 206 balls. Tom Taylor ended the partnership by dismissing Hammond leg before for 57 with the score on 190-3.

Bracey then made an unbeaten 45 from 60 balls to help Gloucestershire finish with seven second-innings wickets intact. Worcestershire will have to bat last if Gloucestershire are dismissed, and the BBC report said the surface is expected to offer increasing assistance to spin on the final day. The match therefore remains unresolved despite the home side's substantial recovery.