Gloucestershire fightback led by Bracey century against injury-hit Lancashire in 2026

James Bracey scored 114 as Gloucestershire made 305 to set Lancashire a target of 127 with seven wickets down.

Match overview at Bristol The Rothesay County Championship Division Two clash shifted dramatically on the third day at the Seat Unique Stadium in Bristol as Gloucestershire recovered from 58-3 overnight to finish on 305 all out. James Bracey struck 114 with 16 fours while Miles Hammon added 82, forging a 148-run fourth-wicket stand. James Anderson and George Balderson each claimed four wickets in the innings for Lancashire. The hosts built a lead of 201 after bowling out the visitors for 240 in their first innings. ## Lancashire’s injury crisis deepens Lancashire’s struggles worsened during the morning session when Luke Wells suffered a shoulder injury while diving to stop a boundary off James Anderson. He was taken to Southmead Hospital with a suspected dislocation and was replaced by Harry Singh, who was allowed to bat and bowl. The visitors had already lost seamer Ajeet Singh Dale to a hamstring injury on day one. These setbacks left Lancashire with an uphill task despite a strong start to their second innings. ## Gloucestershire’s middle order rebuilds Having started the day at 58-3, Gloucestershire rebuilt their innings with a measured approach on a flat pitch. Miles Hammon reached his half-century in 123 balls, including a straight six off Arav Shetty, before driving to backward point for 82. James Bracey advanced to fifty off 115 deliveries and was 53 not out at lunch, with the score 176-3. The pair shared a 47-over partnership before Hammon fell for 82, caught at point off Paul Coughlin. ## Boorman and Bracey extend the lead Tommy Boorman, making his Championship debut, accelerated the scoring after tea, hitting six fours to reach 38 not out. His positive start allowed Bracey to consolidate, completing his century in 200 balls with 14 fours. At the tea interval, Bracey was 108 not out as Gloucestershire moved to 276-4, leading by 172. They extended the lead to 172 before Boorman, on 42, edged a wide ball from George Balderson to Keaton Jennings at second slip. ## Late wickets tighten the chase James Anderson made a breakthrough when he trapped Graeme van Buuren lbw for a single, bringing the score to 294-6. Lancashire’s captain then removed Bracey for 114, bowled off a bottom edge attempting a pull shot, before Henry Brookes was caught behind. The collapse continued as Gloucestershire lost six wickets for 22 runs, with Matt Taylor’s catch at mid-on off Balderson sealing the innings at 305-9. ## Lancashire’s shaky reply begins Lancashire’s second innings started poorly when Harry Singh was bowled for a duck by Will Williams, who clipped the off stump. Josh Bohannon responded positively, hitting six fours to reach 31 before being bowled middle stump by Gabe Bell. Marcus Harris followed soon after, trapped lbw by Matt Taylor, leaving Lancashire at 45-3 and still needing 127 runs with seven wickets in hand. ## Match standings and points Gloucestershire finished on 305, giving them a first-innings lead of 201 and setting Lancashire a target of 127. At close, Lancashire were 75-3 with Keaton Jennings unbeaten on 25, requiring a further 127 runs to win. Both teams earned three points from the drawn match. The contest highlighted Gloucestershire’s resilience despite Lancashire’s injury woes.