Kyle Jarvis takes 5-39 as Lancashire beat Gloucestershire
Wednesday 10 June 2015 17:35, UK
Kyle Jarvis completed match figures of 9-106 as Lancashire strengthened their position at the top of Division Two table with a 91-run win over Gloucestershire at Bristol.
The Zimbabwean seamer claimed 5-39, including four wickets in the space of 17 balls, to induce a second innings collapse by the hosts from 113-2 to 160 all out as they chased a victory target of 252.
It had looked good for Gloucestershire when they reached lunch on the final day at 104-2. But after Michael Klinger (42) and Chris Dent (54) had set up a winning position Jarvis blew away the middle order.
He sent back Dent, Ian Cockbain, Benny Howell and Jack Taylor in a superb spell from the Ashley Down Road End to finally swing a compelling match Lancashire's way.
The Red Rose county took 21 points to Gloucestershire's five to go 31 clear of second-placed Surrey.
But it was a closer contest than the outcome suggested and both teams could take encouragement from their efforts.
Gloucestershire had begun the final day on 26-1, needing a further 226 to win. For a long while Klinger and Dent looked to have them in control.
Dent, dropped on 10 by wicketkeeper Alex Davies off Tom Bailey, was unbeaten on 49 at lunch.
Klinger had helped to add 68 for the second wicket before a rare error of judgement, driving at a good length ball from James Faulkner saw him caught by Davies, having faced 110 balls and hit seven fours.
It took Dent until his 99th delivery to hit a boundary, but his application was showing signs of reaping reward as Gloucestershire approached the final two sessions needing only a further 148 to repeat their success at Old Trafford earlier in the season.
The turning point came when Dent, who had faced 155 balls and hit six fours, miscued a pull shot off Jarvis and lofted a catch to mid-on.
Jarvis grabbed the initiative and four more wickets fell in the space of 29 deliveries, Tom Bailey weighing in with the dismissal of Gareth Roderick, who registered a pair when pinned lbw by a full ball.
Gloucestershire were suddenly in disarray as they plunged to 119 for seven. Skipper Geraint Jones and Craig Miles defiantly added 36, but when Jones was caught behind looking to cut Faulkner it was as good as over.
Matt Taylor was caught behind to give Faulkner a third wicket and when Miles was last man out, caught at cover off Jordan Clark, the home side had lost their last eight wickets for 47 runs.
