Harvey urges fans to make Bristol County Ground a fortress for Glamorgan T20 clash
4 June 2015
Gloucestershire assistant coach Ian Harvey has called on the crowd to help the team maintain their 100% home record when they take on Glamorgan in the NatWest T20 Blast this Friday.
The former Australia allrounder, who won six trophies with the club during his time as a player, wants supporters to turn the Bristol County Ground back into a fortress.
He said: “There’s definitely nothing better than playing at home in front of a big crowd.
“All over the country people try to make their home ground a fortress and the fans make a real difference – we have already seen that with our two home wins in the Blast so far. The players want to play and entertain in front of a big crowd so if we can get more people through the gates it will help lift us.”
Gloucestershire go into the match following back-to-back home victories over Middlesex and Essex Eagles. And as well as winning matches, the side is also breaking records.
Returning captain Michael Klinger made a club record T20 score of 126 not out to set up the win over Middlesex while spinner Tom Smith took Gloucestershire’s first ever T20 hat-trick to seal the victory.
The team’s home form saw them briefly top the South Group and they remain firmly in contention for a place in the quarter finals.
T20 skipper Michael Klinger said: “We have some good players here and this is a competition we can do well in.
“We have a lot of ability and different skills in our dressing room and, on our day, we are capable of beating anyone.”
His side face a tough task on Friday when they take on a Glamorgan side that contains a number of dangerous players - including a trio of South Africans.
Captain Jacques Rudolph has made more than 18000 First Class runs and over 3000 in T20 matches. His countryman, the powerful left hander Colin Ingram showed what he can do earlier in the Blast with a devastating 91 from 47 balls (inc six 6s) to help his new side to victory and a record score of 240-3. The third Protea at the SWALEC stadium is left are fast bowler Wayne Parnell. The 29-year-old, who has played in the IPL, is one of the highest T20 wicket takers of all time with more than 120 victims to date.
Gloucestershire’s match with Glamorgan takes place on Friday June 12 at 5.30pm. Tickets are £15 in advance or £20 on the day for adults or £3 in advance and £5 on the day for under 19s.
