KANE WILLIAMSON insists Gloucestershire are capable of beating any side after his century led them to a comprehensive win over Leicestershire in the CB40 match at Bristol on Sunday.

The New Zealander’s fine knock of 112 off 92 balls was his highest one day score and helped Gloucestershire score an imposing 294-6 before they skittled the visitors out for just 130.

It was their second win on the bounce in the competition following their shock defeat to the Netherlands to put them on top of their group and Williamson believes they will continue to get better.

He said: “We believe we can beat any side on our day and it’s a matter of trying to keep on improving on each performance.

“We have done that so far and there is no reason why we should not have a really good season in the competition.”

Williamson was well supported by Benny Howell, who continued to press his claims for a contract by hitting 88 off 82 balls in a third wicket partnership of 152.

The pair also shared a stand of 117 in their first County Championship game together against Derbyshire last month and Williamson said: “I enjoy batting with Benny Howell.

“He is a very good player with all the shots and the ability to do well in all formats of the game.

“It was nice for me to spend some time in the middle in the one-day format. Benny was playing so well I just had to support him and then carry things on when he got out.”

Once Ian Saxelby removed opener Joshua Cobb for nought from the third ball, Leicestershire’s task looked even more daunting.

Although they briefly recovered to 33-1, Gloucestershire pressed home their advantage further as Will Gidman and Graeme McCarter picked up one wicket apiece before part-time spinner Chris Dent ripped through the middle order with career best figures of 4-43, which included the scalp of former West Indies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan.

Robert Taylor (29*) and Claude Henderson (22) put on 50 to delay Gloucestershire’s celebrations, but McCarter returned to dismiss the latter and Alex Wyatt (0), with Ed Young taking the wicket of Nadeem Malik (0).

Williamson now has three centuries to his name since making his return to Gloucestershire last month, but his 111 was not enough in the County Championship game against Yorkshire, who chased down a contrived target of 400 on an exciting final day at Bristol.

The rain-affected match appeared to be heading for a draw on the third day before Gloucestershire skipper Alex Gidman and his opposite number Andrew Gale got together to try and force a result.

Williamson shared 164 with Chris Dent (62) to put Gloucestershire in a strong position in their first innings, but a strong Yorkshire bowling attack including current England international Tim Bresnan (5-81) reduced them to 299-9.

In bizarre scenes, Gale and Adam Lyth then bowled gentle medium pacers to force the declaration with tailenders Saxelby (27*) and McCarter (29*) smashing 52 off 3.1 overs. Gloucestershire finished on 351-9 with Yorkshire forfeiting their first innings.

The hosts then added 48-0 off 27 overs in their second innings, but tons from Phil Jacques (160) and Gary Ballance (121*) guided Yorkshire to a four wicket victory.