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Match Preview: Glos look to secure home T20 quarter final with victory over Essex

16 July 2016

With last eight qualification all but assured, Gloucestershire hope to secure a home quarter final with victory over Essex in the NatWest T20 Blast at Cheltenham.

This match has SOLD OUT. Only Gloucestershire Members and pre-purchased ticket holders should travel to the match.  Please note that NO tickets will be available for sale on the gates.

A win over Glamorgan last time out has put Michael Klinger’s men in prime position on top of the table on 17 points with two group games remaining.

And after winning six of their last seven Blast matches allrounder Benny Howell admits their thoughts are starting to turn to the next stage of the competition.

He said: “We are going really well at the moment and we will be going all out to try and secure a home quarter final for our fans.”

Like the team, Howell has enjoyed an outstanding Blast campaign so far and is currently second in the Professional Cricketers Association’s (PCA) MVP (Most Valuable Player) rankings behind his captain.

He is currently the second highest wicket-taker in the competition with 17 wickets at 17.76, has bowled more dots than anyone else (92) and has also chipped in with some useful runs.

But despite his own success, Howell puts Gloucestershire’s improved Blast performances in 2016 down to a collective effort.

He said: “I think the biggest thing this year is that different people are putting in performances for us each week. Matt Taylor has been great at the death but if he doesn’t fire Andrew Tye does. We have been consistent in the middle overs and with the bat, Marshy (Hamish Marshall), Maxy and Coey (Ian Cockbain) have all been superb at different times.”

Standing between Glos and confirming a quarter final place are an Essex side that have won their last four matches since suffering an eight wicket defeat to Gloucestershire at Chelmsford.

Howell said: “Essex started their campaign pretty poorly and we beat them quite easily down in Chelmsford but they have improved in the last few games and we won’t be taking them lightly.”

And he says he is looking forward to the opportunity to play at the famous College Ground again – a place where he has a number of good memories.

He said: “As players we all look forward to it. There is a special atmosphere and it is always one of the highlights of the summer.

“I am lucky enough to have a couple of pretty good memories playing there – including making my first First Class century last year. In the T20 last year I also bowled a double-wicket maiden and hit 31 not out to help us beat my old club Hampshire the day after I got married which was also pretty special.”

Gloucestershire have added David Payne and Jack Taylor to the squad for Sunday.

Gloucestershire Squad: Michael Klinger (c), Hamish Marshall, Ian Cockbain, Chris Dent, Benny Howell, Kieran Noema-Barnett, Graeme Van Buuren, Gareth Roderick (w), Andrew Tye, Tom Smith, Liam Norwell, Matt Taylor, Craig Miles, Jack Taylor, David Payne

Essex

Since a chastening eight wicket defeat to Gloucestershire at Chelmsford in June, Essex have bounced back with four wins on the spin.

They are currently third in the South Group following victories over Hampshire (twice), Kent and  Surrey.

Essex Squad (possible): Ten Doeschate, Jesse Ryder, Kishen Velani, Tom Westley, Ravi Bopara, Ashar Zaidi, Dan Lawrence, James Foster, (w), Graham Napier, Paul Walter, Matt Quinn, Jamie Porter, Callum Taylor, Jaik Mickleburgh, David Masters.

Key Man

Ashar Zaidi has emerged as one of the main men in Essex’s recent resurgence. Since Essex lost to Glos at Chelmsford the Pakistan-born allrounder scored half centuries in the home wins over Hampshire and Kent and scored 47 and took 2-16 in the return match with Hants.

In total he has made258 runs at 43 with a strike rate of 157. The left armer also taken five wickets at 22 and has the best strike rate (5.9) of any spinner to bowl more than 10 overs in this year’s competition.

Opta Facts

• Gloucestershire have won three of their last four versus Essex Eagles (L1).
• The last time Essex won in Gloucestershire was 2010 since when they have lost twice in the county.
• Essex Eagles have won four matches in a row whilst Gloucestershire have claimed six victories over their last seven played (L1).
• Ashar Zaidi (Essex Eagles) has the best economy of any spinner to record 10+ overs this summer (5.9).

Last Time We Met (NatWest T20 Blast)

June 16 2016 at Chelmsford

Essex 153-8 (20 overs) (Westley 45, Howell 2-15)

Gloucestershire 154-2 (17 overs) (Klinger 78, Riaz 1-29)

Gloucestershire won by 8 wickets

Scorecard & report

Head-to-Head

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