Gloucestershire Vs. Lancashire LVCC day three.

Chapple closes in on personal milestone.

Glen Chapple takes his 899th first-class wicket.

Lancashire captain battled through a hamstring injury to take his 899th first-class wicket on a rain-affected third day at Bristol, as Gloucestershire closed on 90-3.

The visitors added just 18 runs before the rain hit their penultimate match, with Oliver Newby (9*) hitting a four off the final ball of the 110 overs, allowing Lancashire to scrape a third bonus point.

Overnight batsman Tom Smith failed to add to his score off 88, before he was comprehensively bowled by Will Gidman, providing the
Gloucestershire paceman with a five-wicket-haul.

Resuming play at 4:30pm BST, the Division Two leaders opted in favour of a declaration, in hope of attaining further bonus points from the remainder of the game.

Chapple struck an early blow, removing his opposite Michael Klinger cheaply, but the skipper was soon off the field, returning shortly afterwards, but he was unable to claim his 900th victim.

Lancashire's leading wicket-taker this season, Kyle Hogg, then dismissed keeper Gareth Roderick, courtesy of a brilliant catch at gully from Luis Reece. Four runs later and Gloucestershire stumbled to 48-3 when Chris Dent was trapped lbw by Oliver Newby, who could have had another wicket, had Alex Davies held on to a routine chance.

Northamptonshire's match with Kent does, barring a contrived result, seem to be heading for a draw, and should this be the case, Lancashire will be confirmed as Champions tomorrow.