It's Another Test Of Character - Bracewell
22 July 2014
John Bracewell admitted Gloucestershire face another test of character after a poor batting display on the second day of the LV=County Championship match with Worcestershire at the Brewin Dolphin Cheltenham Festival.
The Director of Cricket was disappointed to see his side forced to follow on after managing only 156 in reply to the visitors' first innings total of 395, Tom Smith top-scoring with an unbeaten 41 after going in at number nine.
Having seen Worcestershire skipper Daryl Mitchell extend his overnight score of 102 to 167 not out, the home side plunged to 15-4, unluckily having Hamish Marshall run out backing up without facing a ball.
Soon it was 68-8 before Smith, Craig Miles (29) and Liam Norwell (18) gave the total some respectability. When the follow-on was enforced Gloucestershire lost Michael Klinger in reaching 10-1 by the close.
John Bracewell told this website: "We have shown character already in several games this season and have to do so again. The trouble is that having your backs to the wall too often can be very wearing.
"There is no problem with the attitude of the players, but they make poor choices at times. They want to do well and everyone is frustrated tonight because it is a good pitch and we should have batted a darn sight better.
"It's a dressing room that is a little bit down because we have high expectations. I want the players to be kicking their own butts and making themselves more accountable.
"We now have to bat ourselves out of trouble. We have done it before, but the fact is that we have to start getting ourselves into winning positions and put pressure on the opposition more often."
For more details of the second day against Worcestershire click on Cricket and then Match Reports.
