Harmison ton can't deny Gloucs
Gloucestershire registered a comprehensive first win of the season as they wrapped up a 290-run triumph over Kent on the final day at Bristol.
Press Association
21-May-2014
Gloucestershire 252 (Roderick 59, Riley 3-51) and 443 for 6 dec. (Marshall 118, Stevens 5-87) beat Kent 114 (W Gidman 4-14, Fuller 4-32) and 291 (Harmison 125) by 290 runs
Scorecard
Scorecard
Gloucestershire registered a comprehensive first win of the season as they wrapped up a 290-run triumph over Kent on the final day at Bristol.
The visitors began the day on 165 for 5 and needing an nominal 417 more runs for victory, and although they put up resistance for a while - led by Ben Harmison, who fashioned a career-best 125 - their defeat was soon sealed.
Matt Taylor took three wickets as Gloucestershire dismissed their opponents for 291, completing the task during an extra half-hour added to the morning session.
As play got under way, Kent had two men already with half-centuries to their names at the crease, Harmison and Sam Billings having restored some batting pride after the team had slumped earlier in the innings to 69 for 5, and been bowled out for a lowly 114 first time around.
The sixth-wicket partnership grew from 96 to 139 before Billings saw his stumps sent cartwheeling by Taylor, who then claimed another wicket with the next ball as Adam Ball was caught behind by Cameron Herring, leaving Kent 208 for 7.
Harmison's innings was only his second score above 27 this season. He brought up his century, moving to 103 with a four but it was not long before a further Kent wicket had gone, Mitchell Claydon caught at mid-on for 15 by Gloucestershire skipper Michael Klinger off the bowling of spinner Tom Smith.
That was 243 for 8, and with his side having added 28 runs, Harmison then departed to a Klinger catch off James Fuller. Gloucestershire finished off the job during the additional period with Doug Bollinger caught by Benny Howell off Taylor.