Cricket: Gloucs hit back after Glam start brightly.

Byline: PHIL BENSON

IAN Harvey was taken to hospital yesterday after being struck in the head during an eventful opening day of Gloucestershire's Frizzell County Championship clash with Glamorgan.

The Australian all-rounder had made 11 when he was hit on the helmet by Michael Kasprowicz and, though he batted on to make 19, his legs went and he was whisked off to hospital.

Harvey returned to the ground with a sizeable lump on his head and he is unlikely to bat again unless absolutely necessary.

Gloucestershire were attempting a recovery from 44-3 after an aggressive spell of fast bowling from Glamorgan's Kasprowicz had ripped through their top order.

A century from Chris Taylor and a typically dogged 75 from wicketkeeper Jack Russell rescued the situation and they closed on a promising 363-5.

Kasprowicz and young England hopeful Simon Jones peppered the Gloucestershire top order with short-pitched deliveries, a policy which brought about the extraordinary dismissal of Tim Hancock.

He ducked into Kasprowicz's short-pitched delivery and the ball ricocheted off his helmet and onto the stumps.

Gloucestershire had slipped from 27 without loss to 28-2 and needed a steadying hand. But Matt Windows was caught by Matthew Maynard as Kasprowicz claimed his third wicket.

For Gloucestershire to save the innings,Taylor needed to stick around. The 25-year-old has not enjoyed any form at all this season, and by lunch he had spent an hour and 50 minutes, making 27, but after the interval he rattled a further 81.

In partnership with Alex Gidman, Taylor moved the Gloucs score onto 120 and when Jones bowled the latter for 14, Russell delivered, digging in to help Taylor build a fifth-wicket partnership of 179 and notching up another halfcentury.

Robert Croft eventually snared the Gloucestershire number three for 126.

Russell scored just 23 in the final two hours but reached stumps on 75 and will resume with Fisher, who is still there on 38.