County Championship: Glamorgan fall short chasing 593 in tie

Gloucestershire and Glamorgan played out an epic last-ball tie as Glamorgan came within one run of setting a new world-record chase of 593.

Wicketkeeper James Bracey took a stunning catch to dismiss Glamorgan’s last man Jamie McIlroy as Glamorgan were left 592 all out.

Sam Northeast made a marathon 187 and Marnus Labuschagne hit 119 to take Glamorgan close to victory in the County Championship Division Two match.

But with two needed off the final over, Gloucestershire seamer Ajeet Singh Dale only conceded a single and then removed McIlroy with the last ball.

Mason Crane was left stranded for a fine unbeaten 43.

It means West Zone’s 541-7 in India’s domestic league in 2010 is still the highest winning total in first-class cricket.

Middlesex hold the record for the biggest chase in the County Championship – scoring 502-6 to beat Nottinghamshire in 1925, while Surrey scored 501-5 to overcome Kent last season.

In this game at Cheltenham, both sides looked favourites to win at times in a dramatic last session.

The huge second-innings scores came after both sides were bowled out for under 200 first time around.

Starting the day on 222-3, Labuschagne and Northeast took their stand to 153 as Labuschagne notched up his second century in his fourth and probably final Championship match of the season.

Beau Webster’s spell of seam caused the batters problems and the giant Tasmanian struck in unusual fashion as Labuschagne was caught at backward square leg for 119 to provide the only morning wicket.

Chris Cooke, another man capable of a long innings, lasted 50 minutes for a watchful 14 before edging a fine ball from Matt Taylor as Bracey claimed the catch.

But Dan Douthwaite (39) played a sensible support role in a century stand with Northeast before blasting Ollie Price to cover just before tea as the home side seized back the initiative.