Dawson's stand passes test
Kent 305 & 21-0 Gloucestershire 256
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Your support makes all the difference.There were two engaging tussles taking place at the St Lawrence Ground. Bobby Dawson's was probably as much with himself as with the Kent bowlers; Gloucestershire's was to try to wrest the initiative from Kent in what is turning in to a fascinating contest.
As far as the main event went, the honours were all Kent's (albeit by a solitary point and an overall lead of 70). Their bowlers stuck at it and rarely gave the Gloucestershire batsmen any room for extravagance. The pacemen in particular were admirable. Ben Phillips was especially dangerous - he had singlehandedly reduced Gloucestershire to 60 for 4 within 19 overs of the innings, and when Mark Ealham removed Mark Alleyne's off stump in the next over the prospect of the follow-on entered the realms of virtual reality.
At this point, with the innings sliding fast, Dawson, in only his fifth Championship match of the season, was joined by Jack Russell. Together they tackled the uphill slog. There were no strokes of that nature, just a doggedness and determination to restore their side's fortunes.
It was as much a test of character for Dawson. With just two first class hundreds to his name - the last two years ago - since making his debut in 1992, he was under a fair amount of pressure to prove he has what it takes. He had got close against Sussex a couple of weeks ago, but missed out by just two runs.
He made it yesterday, but only just. Strangely his dismissal, when he had made precisely 100, was in remarkably similar circumstances, pushing forward to a leg spinner to be caught at slip. At Hove the bowler was Amer Khan, here it was Strang. There Gloucestershire had won; here they will be hard pressed.
Still, had it not been for Dawson and Russell defeat would have been a certainty. The two batsmen displayed prudence and application in compiling 117 for the sixth wicket, a partnership which may yet prove crucial to their cause.
Russell is one of Gloucestershire's form men; surprisingly he has never amassed 1,000 runs in a season, that could change this summer. He arrived in Canterbury with 846 to his name at an average of 50; by the time he fell leg before to Ealham, nearly three hours after striding to the crease, he had added a further 55 to his tally.
Dawson did not exactly go into his shell after that, but he certainly peered into it. It was left to Martyn Ball to maintain the impetus. He did so in an entertaining 58-ball knock. Dawson eventually reached his hundred after more than five hours of graft, sadly, just when his side needed him to earn a precious bonus point or two more he perished, but at least Gloucestershire were within touching distance. It is not over yet.
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