Gloucestershire make up for lost time on productive day against Northamptonshire

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO ROUNDUP: Matt Taylor and Graeme van Buuren took three wickets apiece as Gloucestershire bowled Northamptonshire out for just 206

ECB Reporters Network | 16/09/2025 at 18:32

Bristol (day two of four): Northamptonshire 206, Gloucestershire 65-3 - Gloucestershire trail by 141 runs with seven wickets remaining

Matt Taylor and Graeme van Buuren produced standout performances with the ball as Gloucestershire made up for lost time on day two of their County Championship Division Two match against Northamptonshire at Bristol.

Following a first-day washout, left-arm seamer Taylor returned figures of 3 for 48 to take out the top-order, while slow left-armer van Buuren claimed 3 for 23 to rip through the tail as Northants were dismissed for 206 in 63.5 overs in their first innings after losing the toss.

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^{Graeme van Buuren took three wickets (Dan Mullan/Getty Images)}

Only Saif Zaib mustered meaningful resistance, the in-form left-hander top-scoring with 76 to take his first-class run tally for the season to 1,268 at an average of 63.4. Stubborn opener Lewis McManus contributed an obdurate 44, but too many Northants batters surrendered their wickets cheaply on a day when bowlers held sway.

Gloucestershire fared no better in the final session, reduced to 40 for 3 by some incisive new-ball bowling from Northamptonshire's seamers. Ollie Price and James Bracey then held firm to reach the close unbeaten on 16 and 18 respectively, bad light curtailing play with 11.4 overs unused.

The fourth wicket pair will resume on 65 for 3 in the morning, still 141 runs behind.