County Championship Preview | Gloucestershire v Derbyshire
23 May 2024
Gloucestershire return to the Seat Unique Stadium to face Derbyshire on Friday following two excellent performances away to Northants and Leicestershire.
Last time out, Glos racked up a first-class record 706/6 declared, the highest in the Club’s 154-year history. A maiden ton from opener Ben Charlesworth, together with centuries from Bancroft and van Buuren, saw Shire dominate the match from start to finish, falling just three wickets short of a brilliant victory at Grace Road.
Following Shire’s draw with Leicestershire, the entire top seven have hundreds to their name in 2024.
VIEW FROM THE CAMP
Gloucestershire currently sit fourth in Division Two, just 20 points off Sussex in top spot. A win against eighth-placed Derbyshire could take them into the top two come the end of the first set of County Championship fixtures of the summer.
Derbyshire have four draws, one defeat and one no-result so far in 2024, with the no-result coming against Glos in the first round of the season early in April.
TEAM NEWS
Pace bowlers Ajeet Singh Dale and Marchant de Lange return to the squad after being rested against Leicestershire, as does T20 Vitality Blast captain Jack Taylor.
Zafar Gohar sustained a groin injury whilst performing his duties as 12th man during the Leicestershire fixture which will require a lengthy period of rest and rehabilitation.
Tom Price has sustained a back injury that will require a substantial period of recovery and rehabilitation.
Your 14-man squad to face Derbyshire:
van Buuren (c), Bancroft, Bracey, Charlesworth B, Charlesworth L, de Lange, Hammond, Middleton, Price O, Shaw, Singh Dale, Taylor J, Taylor M, Webster
LAST MEETING
The reverse fixture earlier in the season ended in a complete washout at the Incora County Ground, with both teams collecting eight points from the match.
HOW TO WATCH
Gloucestershire face Derbyshire in the Vitality County Championship Division Two at 11:00 on Friday 23rd May at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol.
The match will be free to view via the Glos Cricket Match Centre.
