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Battle of the bowlers as Glos face Glamorgan in the T20 Blast

9 June 2016

The Brightside Ground is set for a battle of the bowlers on Friday night as a Gloucestershire side featuring Aussie paceman Andrew Tye take on a Glamorgan side that includes South Africa’s Dale Steyn.

The two international seamers – who were team mates during the recent IPL – lead the attacks of two teams who have won two and lost one of their opening three Blast matches.

On coming up against his Gujarat Lions colleague, Tye – who will make his home debut on Friday -said: “On the field Dale is a fierce competitor and hates losing. He’s got a good slower ball, and hits his yorkers like most other bowlers but he just bowls a yard quicker than anyone else. Off the field he is as soft as a teddy bear – he will probably kill me now that I’ve said that and I will probably get a bouncer on Friday night now!”

Both players have got off to good starts with their new clubs. Tye taking 3-18 in last week’s win over Kent while Steyn  - the former world number one ranked bowler – picked up 3-22 in Glamorgan’s five wicket win over Hampshire.

Gloucestershire have won both T20 Blast matches since Tye’s arrival, claiming a dramatic four wicket final over victory away at Middlesex prior to the seven wicket success at Kent.

Buoyed by those wins the Perth Scorchers star said he is looking forward to appearing in front of a Gloucestershire home crowd for the first time.

He said: “I haven’t spoken too much to the boys about the atmosphere but just from seeing the Gloucestershire fans that have followed us away so far, I am really looking forward to playing in front of a strong home crowd.

“The supporters will see me give my all – I never leave anything out on the park – and hopefully I can provide plenty of entertainment.

Gloucestershire head coach Richard Dawson has praised Tye’s impact ahead of the clash with Glamorgan.

He said: “Andrew Tye has settled in really well and his figures of three for 18 in our last game against Kent at Beckenham were outstanding.

“He is extremely unpredictable because he can bowl really good slower balls and yorkers. From what we have seen so far he is everything Michael Klinger said about him when recommending the signing.”

Dawson has made just one change to the squad for Friday with Craig Miles coming in to replace David Payne.

Gloucestershire Squad: Michael Klinger (c), Hamish Marshall, Ian Cockbain, Chris Dent, Benny Howell, Jack Taylor, Gareth Roderick(w), Tom Smith, Kieran Noema-Barnett, Graeme Van Buuren, Liam Norwell, Matt Taylor, Craig Miles, Andrew Tye.

Glamorgan

Like Glos, Glamorgan have won two and lost one of their opening Blast fixtures but top the group on net run rate.

The Welsh side began their 2016 campaign with a convincing eight wicket win over Surrey, lost to Essex by seven wickets and returned to form with a five wicket victory over Hampshire last time out.

Speaking to www.glamorgancricket.com after a week in which his side won three matches in a row one in the Blast and two in the Royal London One-Day Cup - South African allrounder Colin Ingram said:

“The guys have really stepped it up.

“It’s nice to see different guys putting up their hand. The last few games have been whole-team performances. If we can keep that confidence going and go to Gloucestershire and get another win it will top off a great week.

“They are a dangerous side. They won the 50 over competition last year so we know they are a good white all outfit. They’ve got some big impact players so we will have to be on our game.”

Glamorgan Squad:  Jacques Rudolph (capt), David Lloyd, Colin Ingram, Aneurin Donald, Chris Cooke, Craig Meschede, Graham Wagg, Andrew Salter, Dale Steyn, Timm van der Gugten, Michael Hogan, Dean Cosker, Mark Wallace, Nick Selman, James Kettleborough, Dewi Penrhyn-Jones

Key Man

With more than 600 international wickets, the ability to swing the ball at over 90 mph and a wild-eyed-stare that makes you question his sanity, it is no surprise that Glamorgan’s Dale Steyn is arguably the most-feared bowler in world cricket.

The South African international has enjoyed success across all formats of the game and will be the man to watch in Bristol on Friday night.

Last Season

Home: Friday June 12

Glamorgan 191-6 (20 overs) (Rudolph 101*, Howell 2-24)

Gloucestershire 172-6 (20 overs) (Klinger 104*, Hogan 2-24)

Glamorgan won by 19 runs

Away: Friday July 24

Glamorgan 45-1 (5 overs) (Ingram  18, Fuller 0-0)

Gloucestershire 51-2 (3.5  overs) (Dent 28*, Lloyd 2-13)

Gloucestershire won by 8 wickets

Opta Facts

• 15 of the last 17 games between these sides have been won by the chasing side.
• Glamorgan have won three of their last four matches played in Bristol versus Gloucestershire (L1).
• Gloucestershire have won four of their last five (L1).
• Only Matthew Critchley (Derbyshire Falcons, 5.1) has a better economy rate than Glamorgan’s Craig Meschede this term (5.2, 5+ overs).

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