MATCH PREVIEW: Hunger of Higgins delights Dawson ahead of return to Lord's
10 May 2018
Former Middlesex all rounder Ryan Higgins heads back to his former club with Gloucestershire head coach Richard Dawson heartened by the early season contribution of his winter recruit.
Higgins tops both the batting and bowling averages for Gloucestershire after the first three Championship matches having already improved his previous career best peformances on three occasions.
"I signed him because he's a hungry individual and a strong character who is eager to learn and has an appetite to improve" Dawson said. "I knew he had potential, and not just in white ball cricket. It was a question of him getting an opportunity with us and he's done exceptionally well."
With Liam Norwell still unavailable because of injury, Dawson confirmed the squad which will travel to Lord's will be the same one that was on duty at Hove for the drawn game with Sussex.
Squad :
Dent (c), Howell, Bracey, Roderick, J.Taylor, van Buuren, Higgins, Noema-Barnett, Miles, Worrall, M.Taylor, Liddle, Hankins.
After a wet and chilly weekend at Hove, Dawson said the players have relished the chance to get some extended practice in better weather.
"We missed out on some limited overs games in pre-season because of the rain so we've made up for that and by mixing up the selection we've given everyone a run out" Dawson added. "We've also had some training sessions in between so it's been seven days where we've been able to get some work done."
Gloucestershire haven't played a Championship game at Lord's since 2010 - skipper Chris Dent will be the only survivor from that team on Friday - and Dawson admits it's a special venue.
"It's a great place to play because of the ground's history" he went on. "A lot of the boys have played one day games there but it's always nice to go back. We'll train there on Thursday so we can get used to it again and then give it a good shot when we start on Friday."
Middlesex for their part have had a first phase of the season riddled with injuries. Toby Roland-Jones won't play again this summer and Nick Gubbins, Eoin Morgan and Steve Finn have already spent time on the treatment table. They lost a close game with Sussex on Monday by three wickets, and with ground to make up on early leaders Warwickshire after both were relegated last season, head coach Richard Dawson is expecting a response.
"Middlesex have a big squad with lots of international experience and we mustn't forget they were champions in 2016" he concluded. "We played some good cricket in our first three matches, and the lads must be on song and show a desire to do it again here against some of the best players in the division."
Coverage :
You can follow the match via the live scorecard available on the website, or via Twitter @GlosCricket.
Ball by ball commentary is also available on the BBC Sport website.
