Batsmen Must Fire At County Ground Tonight
23 May 2014
John Bracewell is calling on Gloucestershire’s batsmen to inspire a first NatWest T20 Blast victory of the season over Middlesex at Bristol this evening (5.30pm start).
The Director of Cricket was pleased with many aspects of the opening performance against Somerset a week ago, but felt his team should have chased down a target of 157.
Now John is looking for a more complete performance against Middlesex, who have lost their first two games in the competition to Essex and Sussex.
He told this website: “The Somerset game was one that got away from us. We didn’t have the luxury of preparing like some of the teams who had the previous part of the week off.
“It wasn’t a bad effort because we kept them to very much a below par score and our bowling game was fantastic.
“But the bottom line is you have to win Twenty20 games with your batsmen and they have to take responsibility for getting us across the line.
“Middlesex are a dangerous side and they beat us last season, but normally we compete well against the London teams.
“I would expect that to be the case again tonight.”
Cameron Herring will keep wicket in the absence of the injured Gareth Roderick and Jack Taylor could make his first appearance of the season if conditions are thought to favour spin.
John Bracewell added: “With a short boundary one end, playing two spinners is difficult, but it could be an option for us against Middlesex.
“There are no problems with Jack’s action now and he has been bowling well at second XI level, so I am sure he is ready to do himself justice.
“He has not broken into the first team yet this season because it is very difficult this time of year to field two spinners in the Championship and Tom Smith has been doing a good job.
“At some stage this season we will have to go to two spinners because of our resources and that will bring Jack into contention.”
Gloucestershire (from) M.Klinger (capt), C.Dent, A.Gidman, H.Marshall, I.Cockbain, B.Howell, J.Fuller, C.Herring (wkt), T.Smith, J.Taylor, L.Norwell, G.McCarter, D.Housego
