Northants victory hopes Dented

Northamptonshire 333 (Rossington 95, Willey 62, Miles 6-63) and 416 for 8 dec (Willey 104*, Keogh 81, Cobb 58) drew with Gloucestershire 296 (Jones 80, Roderick 56, Willey 4-72) and 267 for 2 (Dent 104*, Tavare 66, Roderick 52)
Scorecard

Chris Dent hit an unbeaten century as the Gloucestershire opener batted throughout the final day to help his side secure a draw in the LV= County Championship Division Two match at Northamptonshire.

Dent ended the day 104 not out as Gloucestershire lost only two wickets in the day, ending 267 for 2 with Will Tavare and Gareth Roderick also making half centuries as Northants bowlers offered little threat of forcing victory.

Resuming on 35 without loss, Gloucestershire never seriously threatened to attempt to chase the victory target of 454, but on a placid final day pitch at Wantage Road, Dent's patient innings ensured his side batted out the day with comfort.

The 24-year-old batted for six hours and two minutes and faced 285 balls for his sixth first-class century, and his first in the County Championship since Gloucestershire's last meeting with Northants at Bristol in August 2013.

His only scares in the marathon innings came on 99, when he survived a big appeal for a catch at cover, umpire Peter Hartley ruling the ball had come off his helmet, and was almost run out the following ball attempting a single that was never on, before completing his century with another quick single.

Starting the day requiring 10 wickets to win, Northants would have fancied their chances of forcing a first Championship victory since 2013, but Dent and Tavare looked at ease throughout the morning, the only chance of note coming when Tavare miscued a pull just wide of Rob Keogh at midwicket.

The pair reached their half centuries off successive overs and looked set to bat through the session, only for Tavare to be bowled by Mohammad Azharullah for 66 shortly before lunch.

The breakthrough would not derail the visitors, though, as Roderick joined Dent in continuing the serene progress after lunch. Roderick had made 56 in the first innings and after a slow start, looked in good touch once more, hitting seven boundaries in completing a second half century of the match.

The pair added 81 in 30 overs during the afternoon as Gloucestershire decided on the safe approach, Dent in particularly batting in determined fashion to add 21 runs in the session. However just as in the morning, a wicket fell shortly before the interval as Roderick was trapped lbw by Keogh.

Northants took the new ball four overs into the evening session but Dent and Peter Handscomb ensured there would be no late wobbles for the visitors against a tired-looking attack.

After five and a half hours of assured batting, Dent suddenly looked shaky upon reaching 99, but survived a quick single to bring up three figures 10 minutes before the sides shook hands on the draw.