COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, Bristol:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY TWO: Gloucestershire 439-5, Kent 264 (Glos 8pts, Kent 3pts)
23-26 September

Franklin hit 14 fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 104

James Franklin followed up his bowling heroics with an unbeaten hundred on day two to keep Gloucestershire in charge against Kent at Nevil Road.

After taking 5-30 to help bowl Kent out for 264 on day one, the New Zealand all-rounder struck 104 not out.

He shared 87 with Chris Taylor (69) and an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 144 with Steve Adshead (86 not out).

Hamish Marshall (87) was also in the runs as Gloucestershire closed on 439-5, a lead of 175.

Beginning the day on 21-0, Gloucestershire had progressed to 52 when Kadeer Ali (25) was trapped lbw by Amjad Khan by a ball which appeared to keep low.

William Porterfield (42) and Marshall then added 84 for the second wicket, with the New Zealander reaching his half-century from just 38 balls before Porterfield fell leg before to James Tredwell.

Alex Gidman followed soon after, clearing the way for a fourth-wicket stand of 137 between Marshall and Taylor.

Marshall's fine innings was ended when he edged a wide delivery from Darren Stevens to wicketkeeper Geraint Jones. His 87 came from just 86 balls.

Marshall was replaced at the crease by his fellow countryman Franklin, who soon joined in the boundary blitz, bringing up his half-century in 69 balls.

Taylor perished shortly after tea, top-edging a pull shot to Jones off the bowling of Matthew Coles.

But this was to be Kent's final success of the day, as Franklin, who reached his second hundred of the summer, and Adshead dominated the remainder of the evening session.

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