Match Preview - Cockbain named captain in T20 opener
14 May 2015
Team news
Gloucestershire will be captained by Ian Cockbain in the absence of Michael Klinger who misses the first two matches of the campaign.
For Middlesex former Glos man James Franklin will do a similar job as stand-in for Eoin Morgan who is still playing in the IPL.
Gloucestershire have named a 13 man squad that includes four players; Cockbain, Jack Taylor, Benny Howell and Robbie Montgomery who are yet to feature in four day cricket this year.
The Panthers line-up will feature a number of international players including England’s Steve Finn and Australian batsman Adam Voges. Another man to look out for could be James Harris who took 9-34 in an innings against Durham recently.
To check out Glos skipper Ian Cockbain’s thoughts ahead of the match watch the video below:
Gloucestershire from:
(15)Chris Dent, (28)Ian Cockbain (capt), (54)Peter Handscomb, (9)Hamish Marshall (8) Geraint Jones (wkt), (11)Kieran Noema-Barnett, (13) Benny Howell, (10)Jack Taylor, (26)James Fuller, (6)Tom Smith, (14)David Payne, (36) Matt Taylor, (20)Robbie Montgomery
Middlesex Panthers from:
James Franklin (capt), Andy Balbirnie, Joe Burns, Nick Compton, Neil Dexter, Steven Finn, James Harris, Ravi Patel, Harry Podmore, Ollie Rayner, Toby Roland-Jones, John Simpson, Paul Stirling, Adam Voges
Gloucestershire Head Coach Richard Dawson said: “T20 is all about providing excitement for the spectators. We aim to play with energy and enthusiasm, allied to smart cricket.
“That’s what I will be aiming to get across to our players. I see no reason why we cannot progress through the group and it is the sort of competition where if you can gain momentum anything is possible.
“We will have a new look side, with Kieran Noema-Barnett and Peter Handscomb adding valuable one-day experience, and have added power in our middle order batting.
“Middlesex will be a tough first test, but we are ready and looking forward to it.”
Opposition Star men
Middlesex have a number of experienced T20 campaigners in their squad including 35-year-old Australian batsman Adam Voges who led Perth Scorchers to the Big Bash League title and has been picked in this summer’s Ashes squad.
Fellow batsman Dawid Malan is always dangerous, while England bowler Steve Finn is provides a pacy yet unpredictable threat with the ball.
Recent Form
The Panthers finished bottom of the South Group last year with just two wins from their 13 completed matches.
2014 NatWest T20 Blast Head to Head
June 26
Lord’s
Gloucestershire 105-6 (20 overs) (Howell 39) (Podmore 3-13)
Middlesex Panthers Did Not Bat
Match Drawn
May 23
Bristol County Ground
Middlesex Panthers 111-8 (20 overs) (Simpson 22*) (Norwell 3-27)
Gloucestershire 113-6 (17.3overs) (Dent 24, Marshall 24) (Finn 2-23)
Gloucestershire won by 5 wickets
