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Dawson praises Scott's start & discusses T20

20 August 2020

Richard Dawson is looking forward to seeing George Scott build on an impressive start to his Gloucestershire career when the Vitality Blast begins next week on Thursday 27 August. 

Signed from Middlesex last autumn, the 24-year-old all-rounder is looking to follow in the footsteps of Ryan Higgins, who has blossomed as a cricketer since making the same move in October 2017. 

Scott marked his Gloucestershire debut with a valuable 44 not out, as well as producing some handy spells as a seamer, in the 78-run Bob Willis Trophy victory over Warwickshire at Bristol last week. 

Now, with the Vitality Blast fixtures just announced, head coach Dawson believes his new recruit capable of making a major impact on white ball cricket. 

“George is not a slogger, but he has serious power to his batting and can clear the ropes,” he said. 

“We saw against Warwickshire that he can bat, bowl and is a proper fielder, so he is going to be a great addition to our T20 squad.” 

Scott himself admits that the success of his friend Higgins since joining Gloucestershire had a major influence on the decision to leave Middlesex. 

“If I can do half as well as Ryan since he came here, I will be more than happy,” he said. “We talked a lot before I made up my mind to move and he persuaded me the coaching staff at Gloucestershire would bring out the best in me. 

“I have really enjoyed working with them and feel there is a lot more to come from me as my game develops.” 

Gloucestershire have decided against using their floodlights for the five Vitality Blast home group fixtures, which will all be played in the afternoon. 

The games against Northamptonshire Steelbacks (Aug 27), Glamorgan (Aug 29), Worcestershire Rapids (Sept 4) and Birmingham Bears (Sept 15), will all start at 2pm, while the derby clash with Somerset (Sept 20) will commence at 1pm. 

Dawson said: “It was not just a financial decision not to use the floodlights. There were logistical reasons too, including not wanting the players driving at 11 o’clock at night, or visiting teams having to travel home at that time.” 

Gloucestershire have reached the quarter-finals of the Blast three times in the last four season, without ever making it to Finals Day. 

“We just didn’t produce anything like our best cricket when it mattered most,” said Dawson. “Perhaps we put too much pressure on ourselves. It is something we will need to improve on to go one stage further this year. 

“With no overseas signings involved, there will be opportunities for some of our younger players. But, with the likes of Benny Howell and Ian Cockbain to come into the side, we can approach the competition with confidence.” 

Howell is working his way back to full match fitness after surgery on a torn hamstring last year and, like Cockbain, has not featured in the three Bob Willis Trophy games to date. 

With a relatively small squad to choose from, Dawson is keeping fingers firmly crossed that the busy current programme of four-day games does not lead to more fitness problems. 

“My main concern about the Vitality Blast at the moment is getting us to the starting line with our best team available,” he said. 

“If we can do that and get off the blocks quickly in the group, I believe we will again be very competitive.” 

The group matches will be played behind closed doors, but streamed on the official club website.​

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