News

Crunch time for Gladiators

26 July 2012

Gloucestershire Gladiators face two crucial games in the space of four days in their battle to reach the semi-finals of the Clydesdale Bank 40 competition.

Alex Gidman and the Gloucestershire squad were today travelling to Amsterdam ahead of tomorrow's televised Group B game with second-placed Netherlands, who stand two places and one point ahead of them in the table. Then, on Monday, the Gladiators take on third-placed Lancashire at Old Trafford in another important clash.

Gidman's men are three points behind leaders Middlesex, but with two games in hand, and two wins over the next four days would put them top of the standings and in pole position to qualify for the semi-finals.

Gidman said: "Even though we lost to Middlesex at Cheltenham last Sunday, our fate remains in our own hands and, providing we beat Holland in Amsterdam and then get a result against Lancashire at Old Trafford on Monday we will be in control of the group and in with a great chance of making the semi-finals."

The Gladiators will be looking to bounce back from the disappointment of losing Tuesday's Friends Life t20 quarter-final against Sussex at Hove.

And they will also be aiming to avenge an early-season defeat by the Netherlands, who triumphed by one run in a thrilling finish in Bristol.

The Gladiators will make at least one change from Tuesday's match now that Muttiah Muralitharan has finished his Twenty20 commitments with the county.

New Zealander Rob Nicol is expected to come back into the side after being ineligible for the game with Sussex. He is likely to open the batting in Amsterdam.

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