Windows shines as Gloucestershire clinch second win

Holders Gloucestershire gained their second win from two Benson & Hedges Cup group games with a nine-run success over Northamptonshire at Bristol.

Gloucestershire were indebted to a brilliant 108 not out from Matt Windows, who struck eight fours and three sixes in the first limited overs century of his career.

Windows and wickek-keeper Reggie Williams rescued Gloucestershire from 80-6 in the 25th over with a stand of 88 before the latter departed for 27.

But there was no stopping Windows, who took 20 off the final over of the innings from Jason Brown, including two sixes. His second fifty came from only 39 deliveries and his score comfortably surpassed his previous one-day best of 72, made against Somerset seven years ago.

With the ball swinging and seaming around, Gloucestershire's new-ball attack of Ian Harvey and Jon Lewis quickly reduced the Northants reply to 23-4 with two wickets apiece.

Mike Cawdron nipped in with two more wickets and, from 41-6 in the 17th over, there appeared little chance of Northamptonshire winning the game. However, Kevin Innes (37), skipper David Ripley (14) and particularly Alec Swann (83 not out) kept the visitors interested.

Swann unleashed some sparkling strokeplay in the closing overs and ended with eight fours and two sixes to his name.

He put on an unbroken 34 for the final wicket with Jason Brown, but 14 off the final over from Ian Harvey proved too much as they finished on 193-9.

Gloucestershire again excelled in the field and there were two stunning catches by Williams and Chris Taylor. Williams took a one-handed catch about six inches off the ground to account for Penberthy, while Taylor leapt to hold a fierce cut from Mal Loye.

Jon Lewis was the most impressive of the Gloucestershire attack with a return of 3-13 in ten overs.

Gloucestershire are back in action against Glamorgan in Bristol on Friday, while Northants are home to Warwickshire.