Surrey Preview: Mustard adds game changing quality - Dawson
26 July 2016
Head coach Richard Dawson is ready to pitch Phil Mustard straight into action for Gloucestershire when they take on Surrey in the group stages of the Royal London Cup at the Kia Oval on Wednesday.
Mustard's registration on loan from Durham went through late on Monday, and he's been included in a squad of 15 for the day/night fixture which will further clarify if either of last's season's finalists has a chance of making the last eight in this year's 50 over competition.
"Having thought there was a chance of getting Phil to come to us it's great that he is here" Dawson said. "He is a proven match winner who will add a lot to the team but also in the dressing room as well."
"His T20 and one day record speaks for itself. He can influence games off his own bat and he has a lot to offer. He's trained with us at the Oval and on his first day he spent some time with Patrick Grieshaber specifically on his wicket keeping. For him to pass that knowledge on is priceless."
The only other addition to the squad named to face Sussex at Cheltenham on Sunday is Liam Norwell
Squad :
Klinger (c), Dent, Mustard, Cockbain, Marshall, Van Buuren, Howell, Noema-Barnett, J.Taylor, Smith, Grieshaber, Payne, Miles, M.Taylor, Norwell,
Gloucestershire and Surrey have seen a lot of each other in one day cricket over the last 18 months. They were in the same Royal London Cup group last season, when Surrey won at Bristol, while Gloucestershire' success in the Lord's final was in the best tradition of such occasions.
"I don't believe the boys will be overawed" Dawson went on. "We played at the Oval last season in a televised T20 game in front of a full house, and it went to the last ball. To go through that, and then the Lord's final, I'm sure they will enjoy it and embrace the occasion."
Surrey have named a squad of 14 for the game, which includes seven of the side that were beaten at Lord's. Gary Wilson and Kumar Sangakkara are among those not involved, with Ben Foakes keeping wicket and Aaron Finch a dangerous presence in the batting line up.
"We bowled well against him in the T20 in Bristol although he does have a reputation as an aggressive player " Dawson said. "Finch and Jason Roy at the top of the Surrey order can be a lethal combination, and they are a very good team. From a coaching and playing point of view it's good to test yourselves against that quality of opposition."
Coverage :
You can follow the match via the live scorecard available on the website, or via Twitter @Gloscricket
