Trescothick ton in vain

Somerset’s Marcus Trescothick and Craig Kieswetter flayed Gloucestershire for brilliant hundreds but the visitors to Taunton still emerged victorious by 12 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis method after rain ended their run chase.

Trescothick (184) and wicketkeeper Kieswetter (121) bludgeoned a second-wicket stand of 302, after the early run-out of captain Justin Langer, in Somerset’s 333 for four in the NatWest Pro40 Division One fixture.

Gloucestershire duly returned fire, though - and with 236 for three on the board from only 28 overs when forecast rain arrived, they held the verdict.

Marcus Trescothick hit six sixes in his career-best 184

Trescothick and Kieswetter’s stand was a record for any wicket in the 40-over competition. The former England opener reached his century in only the 24th over, with Kieswetter not far behind.

It was an anti-climax when both batsmen fell to consecutive balls from Steve Kirby (3-87), with the score on 322.

Kieswetter was caught at cover, having hit nine fours and five sixes off 107 balls - and Trescothick’s career-best one-day score came from only 112 deliveries, and included 20 fours and six sixes.

Gloucestershire’s reply had instant momentum, Hamish Marshall and Kadeer Ali racing to 89 in the ninth over when the New Zealander was lbw to Steffan Jones.

In the 18th over, Mark Hardinges (80no) hit consecutive sixes into the Botham Stand off Arul Suppiah - but Kadeer (73) was run-out by a smart return from midwicket by Wes Durston.

With the score on 214 for two after 25 overs, the Gladiators were 24 runs ahead of Somerset’s total at the same stage and looked to be cruising to victory.

Langer ran-out Craig Spearman with a direct hit from midwicket to narrow the margin, but Gloucestershire were still comfortably in front when the rain arrived.