Match Preview: Howell says Glos will be wary of 'dangerous' Leicestershire side
30 July 2015
Gloucestershire will be looking to build on their dramatic last ball victory over Derbyshire when they take on Leicestershire at Grace Road on Friday (July 31).
In a rain-affected match Benny Howell (33*) and Jack Taylor (41*) were left with a revised target of 64 off four overs – which they got after the visitors were penalised for breaking fielding restrictions off the last ball.
With only three men on the off side umpire Alex Wharf signalled a no-ball, leaving Glos needing three of the last delivery. Benny Howell duly struck it for four to secure a six wicket win.
Benny – who has just signed a new two-year deal with the club - said: “Jack Taylor and I had no idea what was going on when the no-ball was signalled. One moment the game seemed lost and the next we were celebrating so it was a bit unreal.
“I got married a couple of weeks ago and have just agreed a new contract so it has not been a bad month.”
Leicestershire are still searching for their first win in the Royal London One-Day Cup after an abandoned match against Surrey and a 55 run defeat to Northants last time out.
But Benny says Glos won’t be taking the Foxes lightly.
He said: “They are a dangerous side in one-day cricket. They’ve struggled a bit in four day cricket over the last few years but they have a new coach - Andrew McDonald - and Clint McKay who is a very experienced one day bowler.
“They have some talented batters as well so we are expecting a tough challenge. We expect them to come out hard and we’ve just got to be harder.”
Benny believes Gloucestershire’s bowling attack and a solid opening partnership mean that the 50 over competition is one they can do well in.
He said: “I think similar to our Championship team we have the ability to take wickets up front with James Fuller and David Payne and Craig Miles - that’s a big strength of ours.
“With Michael Klinger and Chris Dent we also have the batters up front to bat 50 overs so I think we’ve got a good chance in this competition.”
Leicestershire’s Australian fast bowler Clint McKay signed a new contract this week and speaking to the club website he said the squad was in positive mood ahead of the match with Gloucestershire.
He said: “We are playing a lot better cricket and although the results haven’t gone our way, if we can click everything together with bat and ball at the same time, and win the key moments in games, then they will turn.
“Every time we walk out, we expect to win, and although it hasn’t quite gone to plan in terms of results, there are lots of games to go. We have five LV=County Championship games and a whole new tournament in the Royal London One-Day Cup, so we’re hoping to be successful at the back end of the season.”
Team News
Gloucestershire squad: Klinger(c), Dent, Roderick(w), Howell, Jones, Noema-Barnett, Taylor, Fuller, Miles, Smith, Payne, Tavare, Norwell
Leicestershire squad: TBA
Opta Facts
- The Foxes have only claimed one victory in their last eight attempts versus Gloucestershire (L7).
- The winner has alternated in the last six instances that this exact fixture has taken place (Foxes at home, Leicestershire won the last instance).
- Gloucestershire have only been victorious in two of their last six completed List A matches on the road (L4).
- Michael Klinger was the difference the last time these sides faced off; scoring an unbeaten 55.
