19 May, 2025 | 03:33 PM

Gloucestershire are closing in on a long-awaited home victory after a dominant performance on day three of their County Championship Division Two clash against Kent at the Seat Unique Stadium. Centuries from Cameron Green and James Bracey propelled the hosts to a commanding first-innings total of 516, giving them a 92-run lead and placing them firmly in control heading into the final day.

Green (128) and Bracey (127) shared a superb 222-run partnership for the fifth wicket in just 54 overs, dismantling Kent’s bowling attack in a morning session full of aggressive strokeplay. Bracey, who brought up his 15th first-class hundred, continued to anchor the innings even after the departure of the Australian allrounder, ensuring Gloucestershire claimed full batting bonus points.

Despite efforts from Kent’s bowlers—Nathan Gilchrist (3 for 141) and Jake Ball (3 for 132)—Gloucestershire found further resistance in Tom Price, who contributed a vital 76 to stretch the hosts' lead. Price’s innings, his highest of the season, was instrumental in putting Gloucestershire in the driver's seat for a first home win in nearly three years.

Kent, facing pressure and a 92-run deficit, stumbled early in their second innings. Openers Harry Finch and Ben Compton, captain Daniel Bell-Drummond, and Tawanda Muyeye all fell in the evening session as Gloucestershire’s seamers, led by Ajeet Singh Dale and Josh Shaw, made crucial inroads. At stumps, Kent were 135 for 4, leading by just 43 runs with Jack Leaning (15*) and Chris Benjamin (17*) at the crease.

Gloucestershire’s bowlers struck at key moments. Singh Dale removed Finch lbw just before tea, and post-interval wickets came in a flurry—Compton edged Shaw to slip, Bell-Drummond offered a return catch to Price, and Muyeye was trapped lbw by Zaman Akhter. The flurry reduced Kent from 85 for 1 to 104 for 4, dramatically swinging the momentum.

The home side, who have not won in their last 15 home fixtures since September 2022, will now sense a golden opportunity to break that drought and claim their first victory of the 2025 season.

Match Summary
Kent: 424 & 135/4 (Leaning 15*, Benjamin 17*)
Gloucestershire: 516 (Green 128, Bracey 127, Price 76; Gilchrist 3-141, Ball 3-132)
Kent lead by 43 runs with 6 wickets remaining