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    Big Bash Winners will be 'massive' in T20 Blast - Dawson

    24 March 2017

    Richard Dawson is confident that having two Big Bash winners in the side will make Gloucestershire a real force in the NatWest T20 Blast this summer.

    Both Michael Klinger and Andrew Tye were members of the Perth Scorchers team who thumped Sydney Sixers by nine wickets in the final of Australia’s equivalent competition at the end of January.

    Since then the two Gloucestershire overseas signings have represented Australia in a T20 series against Sri Lanka, Klinger earning his first call-up at the age of 36.

    Dawson said: “We are delighted to have Maxy (Klinger) and Andrew Tye coming back for our T20 campaign, especially from a winning team in Australia.

    “It has also been great to see them gain international recognition. Michael’s call-up was long overdue and thoroughly deserved.

    “He worked so hard for it and never moaned when he was scoring so many runs yet was not being selected.

    “It had a huge impact on our dressing room when he was picked by Australia. He was in touch with us and everyone was so delighted for him.

    “He then did what we knew he could do and scored runs on the big stage.

    “Everyone knows what Maxy brings to the team and AJ added something extra for us last year so hopefully we can build on the progress we have made.

    “To have two Big Bash winners in our side will be massive, not just in terms of ability, but the experience they bring.”

    Click here to book tickets to watch Gloucestershire in the NatWest T20 Blast

    Tye became a popular member of Gloucestershire’s T20 team last season, slotting into the dressing room and adding a winning mentality.

    “AJ took vital wickets for us last season when games weren’t heading anywhere,” said Dawson. “He also brought a freshness and a stereotypical Australian attitude to our dressing room.

    “When things weren’t going well for us he never shirked the workload and he added a lot of energy.”

    Gloucestershire’s form in the shortest format took a step forward last season as they reached the quarter-finals before losing to Durham at Bristol.

    Dawson believes they will be well prepared to continue that progess this summer.

    “Matt Taylor really came to the fore in T20 for the first time last season and other players showed improvement,” he said.

    “The test will be whether we can put everything together as a team. We also have Phil Mustard this season, who will add a different dimension as a proven one-day player.

    “With Hamish Marshall retiring, we have lost runs at the top of the order, so we need someone else to come through.

    “We had a lot of good nights under our new floodlights last season and the crowds were brilliant. If the weather stays fine there should be a few more to look forward to.”

    Watch Klinger and Tye in action this summer with tickets to a NatWest T20 Blast match. Click here to book.

     

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