Worcestershire v Gloucestershire: Oliver ton proves in vain

Liam Norwell has now taken 21 County Championship wickets this season

A superb 179 from Worcestershire's Richard Oliver was not enough to stop Gloucestershire sealing a seven-wicket victory inside three days at New Road.

Resuming on 154-2, Oliver and Alexei Kerkevee (78) shared a third-wicket stand of 215, but Liam Norwell (4-69) helped limit the hosts to 360 all out.

It left Gloucestershire a target of 177 to win and a half-century from Chris Dent (51) helped them on their way.

Alex Gidman then made 45 not out as Gloucestershire eased to victory.

Oliver's career-best 179 came from just 212 balls, but it was his side's poor showing in the first innings that let them down.

The defeat is Worcestershire's first of the season in Division Two of the County Championship, after the league leaders had won seven and drawn five of their previous 12 matches, while Gloucestershire celebrated their first win at New Road since 1986.

Worcestershire assistant coach Matt Mason on Richard Oliver:

"He's a breath of fresh air, as they say. His approach to his cricket is amazing and he's very positive.

"He's fearless, that's the way we describe him. It's great for the people who are here watching as there's never a dull moment when he's at the crease.

"He doesn't play an orthodox game and I think there's room for people like that in any first-class cricket team.

"His confidence and his belief that he belongs here is growing all the time."

Gloucestershire all-rounder Alex Gidman:

"It's a lovely place to play and I've been a few times but never won. To have done that was really enjoyable.

"It was a challenging wicket, but a good cricket wicket, and we probably applied ourselves a little bit better over three days.

"We had the best of the conditions. On the first day I didn't think we bowled as well as we could, but the boys kept going really hard."