Gloucestershire’s Ollie Price and the inclement weather proved to be formidable obstacles for Middlesex’s promotion aspirations on the second day of their Vitality County Championship Division Two encounter at Lord’s.
Price, a right-handed batsman, displayed remarkable resilience to compile an unbeaten 56, his fifth half-century in first-class cricket this season. His gritty innings helped Gloucestershire reach 154 for 5, still trailing Middlesex’s first-innings total of 377 by 223 runs. However, only 41.4 overs were possible due to poor light and rain.
Price’s innings was characterized by his ability to find runs through unconventional means, with many of his seven boundaries coming off the inside edge. His determination was particularly evident after Middlesex captain Toby Roland-Jones’ devastating spell of 3 for 12 in 16 balls either side of lunch. Price’s efforts helped Gloucestershire recover from a precarious 74 for 4 to a more stable position, although they still require 74 runs to avoid following on.
Roland-Jones finished with figures of 3 for 56, while Ryan Higgins claimed 2 for 47. The match was interrupted twice due to bad light, with the second stoppage at 3:15pm forcing the players off for the day.
The start of play was delayed by 40 minutes due to poor light and drizzle. Under overcast skies and with the floodlights illuminated, batting proved challenging from the outset. Roland-Jones’ first delivery to Cameron Bancroft was edged between third slip and gully for three, setting the tone for the day.
Roland-Jones and Higgins consistently tested the batsmen’s technique, with Ben Charlesworth edging the former just short of wicket-keeper Jack Davies. Charlesworth’s luck ran out soon after, as he nicked a superb delivery from Higgins to Sam Robson at first slip.
Bancroft, who had been fortunate to survive several close calls, was eventually dismissed by Roland-Jones, who produced a delivery that jagged back between bat and pad to dislodge the bails.
Bad light forced the players off for an early lunch, and upon their return, Roland-Jones struck again, hitting Miles Hammond on the body with his first ball. Hammond continued after receiving treatment and struck a magnificent four through cover, but he was soon caught at third slip by Tom Helm off another Roland-Jones delivery.
When Roland-Jones removed James Bracey caught behind two balls later, Gloucestershire were in dire straits at 74 for 4. However, Price’s resolute batting, coupled with some wayward bowling from Middlesex, helped Gloucestershire weather the storm.
Graeme Van Buren joined Price in a 50-run partnership, which was broken by Higgins, who trapped Van Buren on the crease. Price’s older brother, Tom, then joined him at the crease, surviving a blow to the head from a short ball from Helm to ensure Gloucestershire’s survival until the weather intervened.
