Gloucestershire 385 (Bancroft 206 *, Dent 59, Milne 3-91, Stevens 3-50) and 67 for 0 lead Kent 386 (Northeast 66, Stevens 65 *, Bell-Drummond 58, Denly 57) by 66 runs
It will take a considerable efficiency of note, with bat or ball, on the last day of this Specsavers' County Championship video game at Nevil Road, to see among these 2 sides press on to success.
By the close on day 3, Gloucestershire, who tracked by a single operate on very first innings, led visitors Kent by 66 runs thanks to an unbeaten very first wicket stand of in between Chris Dent and Cameron Bancroft.
On a Bristol wicket that is barely complete of devils, a draw definitely looks the most likely outcome unless a contrived run chase is set up. Leicestershire declined to do that at Canterbury previously this month and it added to the elimination of their coach Pierre de Bruyn so anything is possible. Possibly Northeast needs to discuss it to Gloucestershire's Richard Dawson.
The day began brilliantly for Kent with Daniel Bell-Drummond and Joe Denly including 44 to their side's over night overall before the previous was captured by Gareth Roderick off the bowling of Liam Norwell for 58. It was a should have wicket for Norwell, who bowled with excellent precision and equivalent aspiration from the Pavilion End.
Afterwards, nevertheless, Denly and 4th wicket partner Sam Northeast thoroughly snuffed out the worries of following on. Batting smartly versus Gloucestershire's all-seam attack, both gamers not just searched in good touch, however properly passed 1000 County Championship runs for the summertime too.
Ultimately, they left within the area of 3 balls as Gloucestershire, as soon as again, provided themselves an outdoors opportunity. Northeast was bowled by Kieran Noema-Barnett for 66 at 210 for 4 and in the extremely next over, Denly lobbed up an uncomplicated catch to Gloucestershire captain Phil Mustard, at mid-off, off the bowling of Matt Taylor.
Zac Crawley and Sam Billings included 54 for the 6th wicket, in good time, to get Kent's innings' back on track, before Crawley was captured off the bowling of Josh Shaw for 10. Billings, who enjoyed his time at the Bristol crease in last season's component in between the sides, searched in great touch as soon as again, till he was thoughtlessly gone out, for 47, at 283 for 7.
Norwell, who bowled so well from the Pavilion End before lunch, returned after tea from the opposite end and when again looked vibrant. He beat the outdoors edge on many celebrations before returning Callum Haggett at 339 for 8.
It was delegated Darren Stevens (65 not out) to effectively direct Kent to the most slim of very first innings' leads. The veteran struck the ball wonderfully, to all 4 corners, as Gloucestershire stopped working to combine on what had actually been a really healthy position when Billings left. He included 31 for the ninth wicket with Matt Coles and a more 16 for the last wicket with Mitchell Claydon.
