Match preview | Gloucestershire v Middlesex
2 July 2022
Gloucestershire will be looking to end their Vitality Blast campaign on a high v Middlesex at the Seat Unique Stadium tomorrow afternoon. The Shire fell to a bitterly disappointing 15-run defeat away at Hampshire last night, meaning Dale Benkenstein’s side are now unable to qualify for the quarter-final stage of the tournament.
Despite having reached 50-3 after the powerplay in reply to Hampshire’s 140/7, Gloucestershire stumbled to 125 all out in 19.4 overs in what was undeniably a must-win match. The result leaves Glos in fifth place in the Vitality Blast South Group, four points behind the now out-of-reach Hampshire Hawks.
Tomorrow’s visitors, Middlesex, are four points behind Gloucestershire in eighth place with eight points, two of which were gained in a win over The Shire in the first match of the Vitality Blast campaign.
Jack Taylor’s side will be looking for revenge against Stephen Eskinazi’s Middlesex outfit after falling to a 30-run defeat to tomorrow’s visitors at Radlett in May. It was in fact a terrific 87 off 37 from Eskinazi that led Middlesex to victory on that occasion.
Middlesex have, however, struggled for form since that early win over The Shire and will need to secure a win in Bristol to avoid potentially finishing in last place in the table.
Gloucestershire v Middlesex | T20 Vitality Blast | Watch every ball on the Gloscricket Match Centre HERE | 2.30pm Start Time
Dale Benkenstein has made a number of changes to the squad that travelled to the Ageas Bowl for the visit of Middlesex.
Ian Cockbain, Ryan Higgins, Graeme van Buuren and Mohammad Amir drop out of the matchday squad while brothers Tom and Ollie Price and Ben Wells come into the 14-man squad. If picked to play in the starting XI, it would be a first Blast appearance of the season for the trio.
The match will also be the final appearance in a Glos shirt of the season for overseas signing Glenn Phillips, who is due to link up with the New Zealand ODI and T20 squad later this month.
Here’s your 14-man squad to face Middlesex:
Middlesex squad to face Gloucestershire:
Stephen Eskinazi (C), Jason Behrendorff, Joe Cracknell, Jack Davies, Josh De Caires, Toby Greatwood, Chris Green, Max Harris, Tom Helm, Max Holden, Luke Hollman, John Simpson (W), Thilan Walallawita.
Gloucestershire v Middlesex | T20 Vitality Blast | Watch every ball on the Gloscricket Match Centre HERE | 2.30pm Start Time
