Glos v Sussex

Glos 229 (Dent 90) & 337-7d (Mustard 90*; Briggs 5-93)

Sussex 435 (Brown 118*; Shaw 5-79)

Match drawn

HAMISH MARSHALL played his part in guiding Gloucestershire to an unlikely draw in their final Specsavers County Championship game of the season against Sussex at the Brightside Ground, Bristol.

Playing his last game for the county, after 10 years service, the 37-year-old New Zealander struck 77 between mid-morning and mid-afternoon to lay the foundations for a decent day's batting from the host county.

In the end, his 135-run partnership, for the sixth wicket, with wicket keeper Phil Mustard, was the difference between losing and ending the campaign with a share of the spoils.

Marshall said; "It's tough to leave something you love, but it was nice to get a few runs in my final innings.

"Of course I would like to be staying here. we have made a lot of friends over the 11 years we have been here.

"However, things change and you have to look at a new career. That's what I have done, although I will be keen to come back and see everyone as soon as I possibly can.

"I have tried to entertain the people during my time here and I suppose it was nice to go out playing some free flowing shots. However, I shouldn't have got out like I did.

"I think I'm just happy to be leaving a trophy-winning club."

Resuming on their overnight total of 88-3, Gloucestershire still required another 119 second innings runs to make Sussex bat again. When they lost night-watchman Josh Shaw and opener Chris Dent (55) inside the opening 15 minutes of the final day, a heavy defeat looked the most likely conclusion to a game dominated by the visitors. Slow left armer Danny Briggs took both wickets.

The departure of Dent seemed to turn the game on its head. Marshall, determined to go out with a bang, and Mustard, whose loan from Durham was to finish in style, batted with patience and panache as Sussex struggled on a wicket that was, once again, starting to flatten out.

Marshall reached his half century off 62 balls, with five fours and a six, with Mustard providing solid support.

Eventually, the Kiwi became Briggs' third victim of the day, caught by Chris Nash.

Mustard continued where his partner left off and with all-rounder Jack Taylor, added a valuable 53 for the seventh wicket. Taylor made 33 before holing out to Tom Haines.

Mustard kept his calm at the opposite end and Sussex continued to hit a brick wall. The experienced left hander pushed and poked his way closer to three figures, with Craig Miles, at the opposite end, providing adequate support.

In the end, the two sides shook hands at 4.20 with Gloucestershire, on 337-7, having successfully thwarted the visitors.

Mustard ended the day unbeaten on 89 with Miles 16no. Together the pair added an unbeaten 50 for the eighth wicket and that was good enough.