Hamish Sets Sights On 1,000 Runs
4 September 2013
Hamish Marshall spoke of his desire to score 1,000 first-class runs for the season after batting Gloucestershire into a commanding position on the second day of the LV=County Championship match against Leicestershire at Bristol.
Although Will Gidman made the headlines after registering a career-best 143, Marshall also played his part, weighing in with an entertaining 81 as the home side ran up a mammoth first innings total of 516-9 declared.
And Hamish now has his sights set on becoming the fourth Gloucestershire player to pass 1,000 runs in first-class cricket this summer.
The New Zealander now has 937 first-class runs to his name and has two matches left in which to emulate team-mates Michael Klinger, Chris Dent and Alex Gidman.
He said: “It is quite a feat for one player to do it, but for four to get past 1,000 runs is something special. I guess it’s been a stellar year.
“Two of those guys have been opening the batting for us and that makes it even more difficult to achieve. It’s been a lot easier for Alex and I, because the ball is older and softer by the time we come in.”
He added: “We’ve had a good summer and the batsmen have been able to put good totals on the board consistently, which is pleasing.
“It is something Michael Klinger talked to us about at the start of the season and he encouraged us to get big hundreds and big scores and not settle for anything less. That attitude has stood us in good stead.”
Gloucestershire’s bowlers will be charged with the task of securing a third Championship win this season when play resumes tomorrow.
Hamish added: “It’s been a hard summer for the bowlers, who have had to contend with a lot of flat pitches.
“It is a young bowling group and they are still learning and improving and they will be better for the experience come next season.
“We’ll have to be disciplined with the ball in hand and, if we bowl like we did on the first day, then we will give ourselves every chance.
“Will took six wickets and the others will look to follow him and take their lead from him.”
Leicestershire closed on 60-1 in their second innings and still trail by 339 runs. For more details of day two click on Cricket and then Match Reports.
