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Dawson praises new signings

1 May 2018

Gloucestershire’s Ryan Higgins has been shortlisted for the Professional Cricketers’ Association Player-of-the-Month award.

Click here to vote for Higgins

It is recognition of an excellent start to the young all-rounder’s career with the county after his move from Middlesex at the end of last season.

Nottinghamshire’s Jake Ball, Matt Henry, of Kent, and Lancashire’s Tom Bailey are in contention with Higgins for the award. 

The four topped the PCA Most Valuable Player Rankings after the first month of the domestic season. The winner will be decided by supporters through a poll on the PCA website and Sky Sports app and website. Voting closes tomorrow night (Weds) at 7pm.

Higgins currently occupies second position in the MVP ratings. He had a Specsavers County Championship debut to remember for Gloucestershire, taking his maiden five-wicket haul in the second innings against Kent at Canterbury to help his side to a five-wicket victory. 

The 23-year-old then impressed with the bat against Glamorgan, with two half centuries, before producing a man-of-the-match performance in the drawn game with Sussex.

Another career-best with the ball at Hove saw Higgins take five for 21 from his ten overs in the first innings and follow up with three dismissals in the second innings. He was 18 not out in an exciting run chase when the weather intervened.

Gloucestershire head coach Richard Dawson said: “First and foremost, Ryan has had a really positive effect on our dressing room. He is a real competitor who desperately wants to win.

“As a bowler, he is like Darren Stevens at Kent, who has been taking wickets for years with medium pace, continually putting the ball on the spot.

“Ryan can swing it and move it about of the seam. He repeatedly  asks questions of batsmen because he maintains such a good line and length.

“He has also made some handy runs for us so we are delighted with the start he has made.”

 The player who tops the overall PCA County MVP Rankings at the end of the season receives a £10,000 prize.

Dawson is also full of praise for this season’s overseas recruit Dan Worrall. While Higgins has claimed 17 Championship wickets, the Australian already has 12 to his name and has not enjoyed the best of fortune.

“Dan has gone past the outside edge on numerous occasions,” said Dawson. “At a time when we are without Liam Norwell and David Payne, his contribution, like that of Ryan, has been hugely important.”

Norwell and Payne remain on rehab programmes after a hamstring problem and ankle operation respectively. No target date has yet been set for their return to action.

After a win, a draw and a defeat from their opening three games, Gloucestershire have a break before their fourth Championship match against Middlesex at Lord’s, starting on Friday week.

Article written by Richard Latham for the ECB Independent Reporter Network

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