On This Day - Debuts Aplenty
8 April 2020
On this day in 2011 (April 8th) David Payne, Ian Cockbain, Will Gidman and Liam Norwell made their Gloucestershire debuts in First-class cricket at the Bristol County Ground.
Derbyshire were Gloucestershire's opponents for their debut match in which all three players had a terrific start in Gloucestershire colours.
WIll Gidman got proceedings started for Gloucestershire with a very well played 89 in the first innings which had seen the home side finish on 343. Former Gloucestershire bowler Liam Norwell was the first in on the act as he took an incredible 6/46 in just 11 overs in the Derbyshire opening innings. After enforcing the follow-on, David Payne struck with 5/76, giving Gloucestershire 146 runs required for victory.
Step up Ian Cockbain. The Gloucestershire batsman opened up the batting with current captain Chris Dent and he helped steer Gloucestershire to victory with a smartly played 59*, handing the Shire an opening match victory in the LV County Championship that season.
