News

Skipper Unhappy With Bowling Attack

28 August 2013

Michael Klinger felt Gloucestershire’s bowling attack had under-performed after Essex had run up 333-7 on the opening day of the LV=County Championship match at Bristol.

The skipper, who had elected to field after winning the toss, was unhappy with the inconsistent line and length for much of the day.

Michael told this website: “I hope I am proved wrong, but it looked like a par score would have been between 250 and 280 on that pitch.

“It was softer than usual and the new ball did quite a bit off it. We just didn’t hit the right areas anything like enough and produced too many boundary balls.

“We are a team looking to push on and try to gain a place in the higher division. Our performance today showed that unless we improve quickly we are a fair way away from that.

“It may be an inexperience thing, but every so often we put in a performance like that. My tone with the players afterwards was pretty calm, but sometimes you have to put the facts out there.

“The main message I tried to get across was that, although a couple of the guys bowled well, unless they do so as a pack the team doesn’t benefit.”

Greg Smith benefited most from the inaccurate bowling, helping himself to 149 not out, his first Championship century for Essex.

For more details on the first day’s play click on Cricket and then Match Reports.

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