Will Gidman ensures ton-filled draw

Gloucestershire 646 (A Gidman 264, Roderick 171, Sheikh 4-97, Freckingham 4-138) and 306 for 9 dec (W Gidman 104*, Shreck 3-44) drew with Leicestershire 565 (O'Brien 119, Eckersley 119, Smith 103, Robson 97, Redfern 60)
Scorecard

Will Gidman marked his last home appearance for Gloucestershire with a century as the match with Leicestershire at Bristol meandered to a draw.

The allrounder, who is joining Nottinghamshire next season, hit an unbeaten 104 as the hosts batted for the whole of the final day to score 306 for 9 in their second innings, giving them a lead of 387.

Charlie Shreck briefly gave Leicestershire hopes of victory, but in the end both sides settled for 11 points from a match dominated by the bat.

Afterwards Gidman, 29, said: "I am absolutely thrilled to score a hundred on my last appearance for Gloucestershire here.

"I owe the club everything for making my career. This is a time of some sadness, but by the time November comes I know I am going to be very excited at the prospect of teaming up with Nottinghamshire.

"I don't know how big a step up first division cricket will be, but I am so looking forward to the challenge.''

Gidman's hundred completed a storybook farewell home game for him and brother Alex, who is joining Worcestershire for next summer. The elder of the pair added 38 to the career-best 264 he made in the first innings before leaving the pitch to a standing ovation.

A more decisive outcome had looked in store when Shreck found some swing at the start of the morning session to send back Will Tavare and Gareth Roderick, while Rob Taylor removed Alex Gidman.

That left Gloucestershire 89 for 4 and leading by only 170. Tavare was taken at second slip by Greg Smith for 4, Roderick, on 21, edged to wicketkeeper Niall O'Brien and Gidman was brilliantly caught one-handed at first slip by Jigar Naik.

The 33-year-old Gidman, who made his Gloucestershire debut back in 2001, raised his bat to all corners of the ground in response to the applause as he walked off.

Hamish Marshall and Ian Cockbain added 54 to ease any nerves in the home camp before Marshall, on 32, fell lbw to a full ball from Ollie Freckingham just before lunch, which was taken at 143 for 5.

That became 143 for 6 straight after the interval when Cockbain nicked a catch behind off Shreck.

Gloucestershire were then 224 in front with more than 60 overs left in the day and Leicestershire scented a chance, but Will Gidman shared a stand of 74 with Tom Smith to banish any chance of a victory for the visitors.

That partnership ended when Smith was picked up at gully by Taylor for 38 to give Naik his only wicket of the match. Craig Miles fell to the occasional offspin of Dan Redfern for 10, but Gidman was still there at tea, unbeaten on 67.

Redfern picked up another wicket when Liam Norwell was caught by O'Brien for one in the final session, but by then the only remaining interest was whether Gidman would reach his hundred.

He did so by square-cutting Redfern for his 15th four, having faced 122 balls and also hitting two sixes. Soon afterwards the players shook hands on the draw, the game ending at 4.20pm.

Leicestershire head coach Ben Smith said: "It was a tremendous fightback by us after the first day, but in the end the wicket had dictated the way the game went.

"It was a very good batting pitch, but there were some very good individual displays in our team and this morning there was a bit of help for the bowlers. It was the best I have seen Charlie Shreck bowl all season. His spell first thing set the tone and at one point we were really in with a chance of winning.''