Gloucestershire v Leicestershire: Bristol game ends in draw

All-rounder Will Gidman hit an unbeaten 104 as Gloucestershire batted out the final day for a draw against Leicestershire at Bristol.

Elder brother Alex opted not to allow the visitors a run-chase after the home side were reduced to 89-4.

Seam bowler Charlie Shreck took 3-44, but Will brought up his hundred off 122 balls with his 15th boundary.

The declaration came soon after with Gloucestershire 387 ahead on 306-9, bringing the game to an end.

It was a disappointing conclusion to a high-scoring game, but Will Gidman showed what a big loss he will be to the county when he joins Nottinghamshire next summer.

His century - which also featured two sixes - was his third of the summer, and he passed 800 runs in the process, to go with his 39 Championship wickets.

Leicestershire had a glimmer of a chance after picking up four wickets during the morning, but needed to polish off the rest quickly.

Ian Cockbain was caught behind off Shreck in the first over after the resumption, but Tom Smith (38) helped Gidman add 73 for the seventh wicket to effectively end the match as a contest.

Meanwhile, Alex Gidman has explained his move to Worcestershire for next season by saying he needs a "new challenge and a different focus".

In a statement on the Gloucestershire website, he added: "This game is mentally very challenging and I believe a new environment and fresh start is what I need at this stage of my career."

Gloucestershire all-rounder Will Gidman:

"I am absolutely thrilled to score a hundred on my last appearance for Gloucestershire here.

"I owe the club everything for making my career. This is a time of some sadness, but by the time November comes I know I am going to be very excited at the prospect of teaming up with Nottinghamshire.

"I don't know how big a step up first division cricket will be, but I am so looking forward to the challenge."

Leicestershire head coach Ben Smith:

"It was a tremendous fightback by us after the first day, but in the end the wicket dictated the way the game went.

"It was a very good batting pitch, but there were some very good individual displays in our team.

"It was the best I have seen Charlie Shreck bowl all season. His spell first thing set the tone and at one point we were really in with a chance of winning."

BBC Radio Gloucestershire's Bob Hunt:

"What began as a promising final day with the visitors bowling much better and having Gloucestershire in a bit of trouble petered out to disappointment as the home side failed to offer even the smallest of carrots and continued to bat on and on.

"It seems like the two captains met on the evening of the third day and could not reach an agreement, which was a shame for the paying public.

"However, the two Gidman brothers both got centuries in their final match at Bristol before moving on to pastures new."

BBC Radio Leicester's Richard Rae:

"There are days when county cricket really doesn't do itself any favours, and this was most definitely one of those days.

"With both sides at the bottom of Division Two, there was nothing for either to lose, and on a flat wicket, Leicestershire made it clear they would attempt to chase a target, however high the run rate.

"Unfortunately, Gloucestershire appeared to think it more important to be certain of avoiding defeat. The result was that what could have been a hugely exciting and interesting final couple of sessions turned into a meaningless exercise.

"Even so, there were a lot of positives for Leicestershire to take from the game in centuries for Greg Smith, Ned Eckersley and Niall O'Brien, Angus Robson passing 1,000 first class runs for the season, and some seriously quick bowling by Atif Sheikh, including his first first-class hat-trick."