Bracey double ton sets up Glos victory bid

Resuming on 388-3, it looked merely a question of when Gloucestershire would declare and they took a fairly conservative option in waiting until 40 minutes after lunch.

Bracey and Australia’s Cameron Bancroft took their stand to 253, a record for the Shire’s fourth wicket against Glamorgan and the highest fourth wicket stand on the College ground, before Bancroft nicked Andy Gorvin to Chris Cooke for 184.

Graeme van Buuren, who had had his pads on for hours, went straight away as he gave Chris Cooke his eighth catch of the match.

But that only brought Beau Webster in and the giant all-rounder proved a willing accomplice, swinging hard with 65 not out in a stand of 136.

Bracey passed his career-best 177 with a slog-sweep six off Mason Crane and with everyone on the boundary, proceeded smoothly towards his well-deserved double ton as he finished with 20 fours and four sixes.

As Glamorgan faced a marathon battle, a hostile spell from Marchant de Lange brought the home side their first success as Billy Root (46) top-edged a pull to fine-leg.

Labuschagne and De Lange enjoyed a high-quality duel, while Eddie Byrom (37) tried to dig in but played no shot to a ball from Ajeet Singh-Dale that nipped back and hit his off-stump.

Matt Taylor had Kiran Carlson caught behind for 13 to strengthen Gloucestershire’s grip.

But Sam Northeast (47 not out) joined Labuschagne to prevent further losses in the final 15 overs.