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Match Preview: Glos look to bounce back against Middlesex - with video

13 June 2015

Richard Dawson is urging Gloucestershire’s players to “get back to basics” as they attempt to get their NatWest T20 Blast campaign back on track against Middlesex at Richmond tomorrow.

Having established a promising early position in the South Group, the county have stumbled to successive defeats by Essex and Glamorgan, despite winning the toss in both games - and Michael Klinger scoring hundreds.

Head coach Dawson accepts that the slip-ups give added importance to the game with Middlesex, who Gloucestershire beat by seven wickets in the opening match of the competition at Bristol.

He said: “T20 is a momentum competition where teams get on winning and losing streaks. We have to ensure that we get back on the right track quickly.

“It’s a case of doing the basics well as a collective unit. We have individuals playing well, but need more to come to the party.

“A win against Middlesex would still leave us in a decent position. But against Essex we were poor with the bat, Michael Klinger apart, and Glamorgan out-bowled us in the power play overs so we need to improve.”

Hamish Marshall faces a fitness test before tomorrow's game, but is rated doubtful with the calf strain that has kept him out of the last two matches.

Klinger goes into the fixture with an incredible tally of 403 runs from four innings in the competition without being dismissed.

Three unbeaten centuries – including two on successive nights against Essex and Glamorgan – plus 69 not out against Kent have confirmed that the 34-year-old Australian is in the form of his life.

To watch a video interview with Michael looking ahead to the Middlesex match click below.

Middlesex v Gloucestershire Opta Stats

• Gloucestershire have won all six of their completed T20s against Middlesex.
• Gloucestershire have won the last three tosses in matches between these teams, Middlesex the first four.
• Middlesex have lost their last four T20s at Richmond, each time batting first.
• The highest partnership in English domestic T20s occurred in this fixture – Kevin O’Brien and Hamish Marshall put on 192 at Uxbridge in 2011.

Last time we met…

 May 15 2015 at the Bristol County Ground

Middlesex 175-3 (20 overs) (Compton 78, J Taylor 1-29)

Gloucestershire 179-3 (Cockbain 91*, Finn 2-29)

Gloucestershire won by seven wickets

Head to Head

Middlesex

Middlesex will be without Eoin Morgan and Steve Finn who are away on England duty.

Irish duo Paul Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie who are also away with their country.

Another notable absentee due to international commitments is skipper Adam Voges who is playing for Australia in the West Indies.

On the plus side, opener Dawid Malan – who missed the game at Bristol – has been in fine form with an unbeaten 115 against Sussex Sharks and 70 in the defeat to Glamorgan last time out.

Experienced New Zealand and former Gloucestershire allrounder James Franklin is set to captain the side in the absence of Voges and Morgan.

Squad (possible)

Compton, Malan, Burns, Simpson, Stirling, Dexter, Franklin, Roland-Jones, Abbott, Sowter, Harris, Gubbins, Podmore, Raynor

Travelling away?

If you are travelling to Richmond this Sunday click here for all match day details http://www.middlesexccc.com/news/2015/middlesex-v-gloucestershire-at-richmond-on-sunday/

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