Tavare, Gidman battle Gloucs to draw

Will Tavare produced a back-to-the-wall innings reminiscent of his famous uncle to help Gloucestershire salvage a draw against Glamorgan at Bristol.

Having seen the visitors claim a first innings lead of 224 before declaring at 615 for 7 on the final morning, Tavare opened Gloucestershire's second innings and faced 167 balls in a fighting knock of 41, occupying more than three and a half hours.

It enabled the hosts to reach 165 for 5 when the players shook hands with a possible five overs remaining. Former Kent and Somerset batsman Chris Tavare, who built a reputation as a stone-waller with England would have been rightly proud of his 24-year-old nephew.

Ian Cockbain contributed 25 off 97 balls to a fourth-wicket stand of 44 with Tavare that used up 32.1 overs before Will Gidman's 47 not out ensured Gloucestershire of a draw.

Glamorgan's bowlers toiled hard on a pitch which had been unresponsive throughout the game, but had to be content with 12 points from the game to their opponents' nine.

The final day began with Glamorgan batting on for five overs, extending an overnight lead of 178. Ruaidhri Smith was 57 not out off 111 balls when the declaration came.

There were some forgettable bowling figures for Gloucestershire. Left-arm spinner Tom Smith went for 183 from his 52 overs, while claiming three wickets, and seamers Liam Norwell and Matt Taylor also registered unwanted centuries in runs conceded. But it was a memorable baptism for 17-year-old debutant wicketkeeper Patrick Grieshaber, who conceded 17 byes, largely as a result of wayward bowling, in standing behind the stumps for 159 overs.

Glamorgan looked set to press home their advantage when Graham Wagg struck twice and Jacques Rudolph claimed a stunning slip catch of Jim Allenby to reduce Gloucestershire to 49 for 3 at lunch. But Tavare and Cockbain then dug in for most of the afternoon session. At one point the pair played out 57 consecutive dot balls as they battled to save the game.

Cockbain was eventually caught at slip off the occasional leg-spin of Rudolph and at tea the home side were 103 for 4 with 34 more overs due to be bowled. Tavare perished in the final session, gloving a leg side catch to wicketkeeper Mark Wallace off Smith, but Gidman and Benny Howell saw Gloucestershire to safety.

Glamorgan coach Toby Radford said: "I'm proud of the way the bowlers stuck to their task and our efforts in building a big lead in the face of a near 400 total. But in the end the pitch didn't deteriorate sufficiently for us to force the win."

Gloucestershire have signed 21-year-old former Hampshire wicketkeeper Adam Rouse on a one-month trial to help provide cover for the injured Cameron Herring and Gareth Roderick.

Director of cricket John Bracewell said: "Patrick Grieshaber kept well in this match and will share first team duties with Adam. It was not realistic to expect a 17-year-old to play in all the matches while Cameron and Gareth are out."