Gloucestershire End Day One on Top Despite Foxes’ Promotion Push
Division Two leaders Leicestershire inched closer to sealing historic promotion, but Gloucestershire had the upper hand on day one of their Rothesay County Championship clash at the Uptonsteel County Ground. The visitors closed on 382 for 7, powered by Graeme van Buuren’s superb 101, alongside half-centuries from Ben Charlesworth (74), James Bracey (69), and Miles Hammond (50).
Van Buuren struck 14 fours and a six in his 143-ball innings before falling to the day’s penultimate delivery, giving Leicestershire a late boost. Still, Gloucestershire’s strong batting effort left the Foxes with work to do.
“𝑽𝒂𝒏 𝑩𝒖𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒏’𝒔 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒎, 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒄𝒌 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒃𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑮𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒓𝒆’𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔.”
Leicestershire, needing just 20 points from their final three games to secure Division One cricket for the first time, already picked up two. With Derbyshire’s struggles elsewhere, the equation has been simplified — but their bowlers were tested heavily on day one.
Leicestershire’s Mixed Day with the Ball
Veteran Chris Wright led the attack with 3 for 56, while young left-armer Josh Hull took 3 for 79. However, Hull’s day was marred by inconsistency — 11 no-balls and two high full tosses forced the umpires to ban him from bowling for the rest of the innings.
Leicestershire’s changes also told their story. With skipper Peter Handscomb returning to Australia, Ian Holland stepped in as captain for the first time. Shan Masood’s availability and Steve Eskinazi’s arrival bolstered the batting, but injuries and England call-ups weakened the bowling options.
Despite early strikes from Hull, Gloucestershire dominated the morning, reaching 129 for 2 at lunch. Charlesworth looked fluent before falling to a classic Wright delivery, while Hammond added his eighth fifty of the season but once again failed to convert it into a hundred.
“𝑮𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒓𝒆’𝒔 𝒎𝒊𝒅𝒅𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒆𝒊𝒛𝒆𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒍, 𝒑𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒃𝒐𝒘𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒏 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚.”
James Bracey’s 92-ball fifty added further momentum, while van Buuren, dropped once on 55, ensured Gloucestershire pressed home their advantage. Ben Mike’s injury late in the day compounded Leicestershire’s problems, though late wickets from Wright and Holland salvaged some hope.
By stumps, Gloucestershire held the stronger position, while Leicestershire’s bowlers were left with questions to answer as they chase a promotion dream.
Also Read: Lawes and Patel Keep Surrey Ahead in Thrilling First Day
