Gloucestershire make sure of the draw

Phil Weston and Chris Taylor both struck half-centuries to make sure Gloucestershire drew a match which Worcestershire had dominated.

Worcestershire added another 130 runs on the fourth day to extend their overnight lead of to 363 before declaring for the second time this game. They were clearly dominating but, perhaps mindful of events the other week when they chased down 285 in 32 overs to beat Surrey, they took no chances in at least ensuring the draw for themselves. This meant, though, that in the end they had only 58 overs to try to bowl Gloucestershire out.

Yet they made a decent start, removing the first-innings centurions Craig Spearman and Hamish Marshall in quick time to leave Gloucestershire slightly nervous at 31 for 2.

But Weston and Taylor put on a third-wicket stand of exactly 100 to calm proceedings down and put the result beyond doubt. Weston's 61 was a painstaking affair, coming from 131 balls, while Taylor's 58 was similarly limpet-like, his 58 taking 104 deliveries. Still, they had a job to do - and they did it well.

Earlier in the day Ben Smith and Graeme Hick both reached their half-centuries to boost Worcestershire.