Bichel sends Gloucestershire crashing to defeat
Australian all-rounder Andy Bichel claimed a career-best 6-44 as Worcestershire wrapped up ther first CricInfo County Championshp Division Two success of the season with a 252-run triumph over Gloucestershire in Bristol
Mark Easterbrook
28-May-2001
Australian all-rounder Andy Bichel claimed a career-best 6-44 as
Worcestershire wrapped up ther first CricInfo County Championshp Division
Two success of the season with a 252-run triumph over Gloucestershire in
Bristol.
Bichel has already provided several important contributions with the bat
since his arrival at Worcestershire this season, but this was comfotably his
best performance with the ball.
The 30-year-old Queenslander bowled an excellent line and generated impressive speed at times on an easy-paced pitch.
With Alamgir Sheriyar offering notable support, Worcestershire's win was
never in doubt as Gloucestershire, 35-3 overnight, were bowled out for 155 in
pursuit of 408 for victory.
The home side continue to set the pace in one-day cricket, but their
four-day form has been poor this season.
Chris Taylor and Kim Barnett were dismissed early on as they chased wide
deliveries from Sheriyar and Bichel respectively to give catches to
wicketkeeper Steve Rhodes.
The Worcestershire wicketkeeper snaffled another catch when Mark Alleyne
edged Sheriyar in front of first slip and, from 76-6 in the 36th over, there
was no way back for Gloucestershire.
Jeremy Snape and Reggie Williams provided resistance with a seventh wicket
stand of 51, but both fell quickly after lunch.
Williams departed for 28 to the third ball after the break when he was
caught at second slip by Graeme Hick off Bichel.
Then it became 146-8 when Snape, having struck eight fours in his 42, was
well caught at gully by Philip Weston from Bichel's bowling.
James Averis skied a catch to Stuart Lampitt off Matthew Rawnsley's left-arm
spin and victory was completed in the next over when Bichel had Jon Lewis
caught at first slip.
It was the first time Lewis had been dismissed this season in nine innings
in all forms of cricket.