Giles' marathon spell in vain at Cheltenham

No one could accuse Ashley Giles of not trying his utmost to eke a result out of a disappointing final day at Cheltenham.

Warwickshire's willing left-arm spinner toiled away for 45 overs unchanged as Gloucestershire made little attempt to chase a victory target of 323. After being introduced for the 19th over of the innings, with the total 44-0, the only breaks Giles was allowed were the lunch and tea intervals.

At times when bowling over the wicket he made the ball bite and lift out of the rough. But there was too little support and figures of 4-74 were not enough to take Warwickshire even close to victory.

Half centuries from Dominic Hewson and Matt Windows plus solid contributions from Tim Hancock and Mark Alleyne allowed Gloucestershire to crawl to 237-5 off 108 overs by the close.

All results had seemed possible at the start of the day and that still appeared the case at lunch, with the home side well placed on 91-1. Openers Hewson and Hancock had seen off the new ball threat of Allan Donald and Ed Giddens with a stand of 60 before the latter fell lbw for 25, playing no shot to Giles.

Hewson used the cut shot with precision to overcome careful field placings designed to make it his downfall and hit 9 fours and a six in reaching his half century off 104 balls.

But Imraan Mohammed was pinned lbw by Donald early in the afternoon session and fear of losing a fourth Cheltenham Championship match in succession at the picturesque College Ground made Gloucestershire err on the side of caution.

Matt Windows dropped anchor and when Hewson was caught for 67 attempting to paddle Giles skipper Mark Alleyne was in no mood to risk a collapse.

There was just a sniff that the defensive attitude might change after tea when Alleyne smashed a six and a four through mid-wicket off the same Neil Smith over.

But he fell soon afterwards to a bat and pad catch off Giles for 37 and from then on Warwickshire were the only team pressing for victory.

Windows was too resolute to allow it, reaching a stubborn fifty of 189 balls, with 6 fours. And, although Chris Taylor fell to the posse of close fielders off Giles with a further dozen overs still possible, a draw remained the only predictable outcome.

Ian Harvey helped Windows see out the remaining time and Warwickshire captain Smith was ready to shake hands with the clock showing 5.50pm. Windows was unbeaten on 62.

It might have been different if Donald had enjoyed a bit more fortune in some fiery spells that ensured Gloucestershire could never meet the required tempo.

The South African pace ace found a good rhythm, beat the bat on several occasions, but had to be content with 1-22 from 19 hostile overs.

Both teams took nine points, which was a fair reflection on four days in which neither had been able to exert any dominance.