One-Day Cup Preview | Sussex v Gloucestershire
17 August 2023
Gloucestershire play their penultimate Metro Bank One-Day Cup Group B fixture knowing a win against lowly Sussex puts them in a commanding position to qualify for the next stage.
Two points away at Hove would take Shire’s points total to 10, beyond the reach of five of the nine sides competing for a knockout place. Victory would leave Gloucestershire jostling with Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Northants Steelbacks for one of three qualification spots.
Team news
Miles Hammond returns to the fold after receiving special dispensation from the Birmingham Phoenix to appear for the Shire. The left-hander bolsters Gloucestershire’s middle-order batting options and joins the group at a time when Bracey and co have found their best form of the season.
Matt Taylor could also make a first 50-over start of the season after returning from a foot injury.
Ben Charlesworth (knee), Marchant de Lange (quad) and Ajeet Singh Dale (thigh) remain sidelined.
Your 15-player Gloucestershire squad to face Somerset:
James Bracey*, Zaman Akhter, Anwar Ali, Chris Dent, Zafar Gohar, Miles Hammond, Ollie Price, Tom Price, Josh Shaw, Tom Smith, Jack Taylor, Matt Taylor, Graeme van Buuren, Paul van Meekeren, Ben Wells.
Last time out
Ollie Price’s second 50-over ton of the season guided Gloucestershire to an important win over Severnside rivals Glamorgan, effectively knocking the Welsh county out of the competition.
Controlled bowling efforts from left-arm spinners Graeme van Buuren (3 wickets), Zafar Gohar (2) and Tom Smith (2) restricted Glamorgan to 217 all out before the Price brothers saw Shire over the line with 3.5 overs to spare.
Ollie is the fourth-highest run scorer in this year’s competition with two centuries and one fifty to his name.
Our opponents
Sussex have lost four of their five One-Day Cup fixtures this season, most recently against Glamorgan on Sunday.
Sitting eighth in Group B despite the continued excellence of India batter Cheteshwar Pujara, who has two Metro Bank One-Day Cup hundreds and one fifty this season, Sussex will be keen to garner some momentum ahead of their final four Division Two fixtures, a competition in which they are competing for promotion.
Last meeting
Sussex took the spoils in the 2022 edition of the One-Day Cup, winning the contest by 51 runs on their way to the Semi-Final.
Sussex scored 334 that day despite an outstanding individual display by Paul van Meekeren who took 5-48 off his ten overs.
The Netherlands international is primed for a repeat showing on Friday, having taken 11 wickets in six one-day matches this season.
How to watch
Gloucestershire face Sussex in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup on Friday 18 August at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol.
The game will be streamed live in the Glos Cricket Match Centre. Coverage begins at 10:40.
