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Dawson : Hankins deserves Championship call-up

22 April 2016

Head coach Richard Dawson says young batsman George Hankins' form since he was awarded his first professional contract last September has justified his selection in the Gloucestershire squad for Sunday's Division 2 match with Worcestershire at the Brightside Ground.

The former Millfield School pupil spoke in pre-season of how he wanted to be bat patiently and value his wicket as he tries to make the transition from schools cricket to the professional ranks, and after the 19 year old's first class debut against Durham MCCU, Hankins made a century in the second XI game against Glamorgan earlier this week.

"George has carried on where he left off at the Darren Lehman Academy during the winter" Dawson said. "He scored big runs there, and we asked him to repeat that in the second team and he's done it."

Hankins' opportunity comes because Benny Howell is resting the back problem which restricted both his batting and bowling during the draw with Derbyshire.

Dawson confirmed that Howell would have treatment in the coming days and that the all-rounder, along with Craig Miles and Will Tavare, should be closer to a return when Gloucestershire go to Canterbury for the game against Kent on May the 8th.

The news was more positive regarding captain and wicket keeper and Gareth Roderick, who took a blow to his left hand on the final day of the Derbyshire match.

"Gareth's taken a whack so his finger is bruised and uglier than before but we're confident he'll be ok." Dawson added.

SQUAD :

Dent, Bancroft, Cockbain, Roderick (c/w), Marshall, Hankins, Noema-Barnett, J Taylor, Shaw, Payne, Norwell, Hampton.

LAST SEASON :

The teams have not played each other in the Championship since 2014, when Worcestershire won promotion to Division 1. Gloucestershire's home game was over in three days at the Cheltenham Festival, where Worcestershire won by 10 wickets despite a record 10th wicket stand for the club of 137 between Craig Miles and Liam Norwell.

Worcestershire's first Championship match of 2016 against Kent was washed out without a ball being bowled so for the second successive game Gloucestershire face a team taking their first competitive steps in Division 2 this summer.

Their squad was depleted by the retirement of former Gloucestershire captain Alex Gidman during the closed season, but Richard Dawson acknowledges they have a blend that deserves repsect.

"Steve Rhodes is an experienced coach and they have some good young players who we have seen in 50 over cricket" Dawson went on. "Their captain Daryl Mitchell is the key man for them. Not only is he a good leader, he churns out runs at the top of the order. They have people like Joe Clarke and Ed Barnard who can play shots around him because he is prepared to bat for a long time."

COVERAGE :

You can follow the match via the live scorecard available on the website, or via Twitter @Gloscricket.

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