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Grieshaber "buzzing" to make T20 debut in Durham quarter final

9 August 2016

Making your T20 debut in a quarter final, in front of a bumper crowd and the Sky TV cameras might seem like a daunting prospect, but 19-year-old wicketkeeper Patrick Grieshaber says he can’t wait to face Durham Jets on Wednesday night.

For ticket info go to www.gloscricket.co.uk/tickets/

With Gareth Roderick injured and loanee Phil Mustard ineligible against his parent club, the Academy player will take the gloves for Gloucestershire’s First XI for only the third time in his short career.

He said: “I’m absolutely buzzing. To make my T20 debut in a quarter final is pretty surreal but I can’t wait.

“It is a massive game for the club. I just want to do the best job I can with the gloves and get some handy runs if I get the chance to bat.”

The Downend CC player made his County Championship bow v Glamorgan as a 17-year-old in 2014 following a spate of injuries to Gloucestershire’s senior ‘keepers.

But the former West of England schoolboy had to wait until July of this year for his second appearance – making 20 off 18 balls and snaffling two catches in the Royal London One-Day Cup match v Sussex at Cheltenham.

And after enjoying his first tastes of professional cricket he is looking forward to the biggest match of his short career.

He said: “To play in a national quarter final for Glos is amazing. I have played in junior quarter finals but nothing like this. It is my first game on TV and my first match under floodlights.

“It is nice to be at our own ground – I am sure the atmosphere will be electric. When I played at Cheltenham the other week it was a big crowd as it was the last day of the Festival and I really enjoyed playing on a bigger stage.”

Patrick – who counts Australian Adam Gilchrist as his cricketing hero – was discovered by Gloucestershire legend Jack Russell while playing for his local club, Marshfield CC.

He joined Gloucestershire’s junior squads as a 13-year-old and has been with the club ever since.

And he says that having been part of the club’s Academy and Second XI for the past few seasons has made it a smooth transition to the First Team.

He said: “I’ve been around the squad for a number of years so I don’t feel like I’m going into a new team when I go into the dressing room. I have played with everyone in either Second XI or Academy games and everyone gets on so well it is a friendly environment to go into.”

The quarter final clash with Durham will be a particularly proud moment for Patrick’s parents who missed both of his first two senior appearances but will be in attendance on Wednesday night.

He said: “My mum and dad missed my debut and the match at Cheltenham because they were on holiday. It has worked out better this time as they have just got back. This will be the first time they have seen me play for the first team and I know they are looking forward to being there on Wednesday.”

Patrick has scored 455 runs – including two centuries - for Downend in the West of England Premier League this season. He has also represented Wiltshire.

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