Dawson names unchanged squad for "cider derby"
31 May 2018
Gloucestershire head coach Richard Dawson has named a familiar looking squad of 13 for Friday's Royal London Cup match against Somerset at Taunton (11.00).
10 players have featured in all three completed matches so far, with Craig Miles playing at the Oval against Surrey after Dan Worrall was ruled out through injury. Graeme van Buuren and Miles Hammond are again added to the eleven, although the game comes too soon for David Payne, who has started bowling again in the nets after ankle surgery.
"David's still building up his fitness after his operation. It's the next step towards his return but he has a bit to do yet" said Dawson. ""Graeme got a century for the second XI earlier in the week and Miles got some runs too, so it's good that those lads have had some time at the crease when they haven't been involved in the first team."
Squad:
Dent (c), Hankins, Howell, Roderick, Cockbain, J.Taylor, Higgins, Smith, Miles, M.Taylor, Liddle, van Buuren, Hammond.
Hampshire's win over Middlesex on Wednesday consolidated their position at the top of the South Group, and with bottom side Glamorgan still to play, they look well placed for a top three spot but below them six teams are all on six points and Dawson doesn't want the weather to disrupt Gloucestershire's challenge any further.
"As a group we're definitely looking forward to playing, that's been the biggest frustration surrounding the last two games" he added. "Other teams have been in the same position and if we were to lose (sic) another one it would get even harder. The table has become very cramped but a couple of wins would mean someone breaking away."
For their part Somerset have recorded two of their three wins to date batting first, and if Gloucestershire again find themselves chasing a target, head coach Richard Dawson is in no doubt that his team's fielding must be razor sharp during the first part of the day.
"Somerset have a first division squad with a good options even though Leach and Bess aren't available" he concluded. "If the weather's good, then it's normally a high scoring game and the way you field can determine the outcome especially with a fast outfield and short boundaries. If we put ourselves about and field well it has a knock-on effect in terms of how we do with the ball."
Coverage:
You can follow the match via the live scorecard available on the website, or via Twitter @GlosCricket.
Ball by ball commentary is also available on the BBC Sport website.
