Payne Back In Squad For T20 Blast
12 June 2014
David Payne returns to Gloucestershire's squad for the NatWest T20 Blast match against Essex at Chelmsford on Friday evening (7pm start).
The left-arm seamer has been out for well over a month with a bruised heel, but came safely through a second XI outing this week and is expected to play.
The news is not so good on other Gloucestershire players. Loan signing Geraint Jones misses the game because of an eye problem and will be replaced by Cameron Herring.
Bowlers Craig Miles, James Fuller and Graeme McCarter are on the injured list. along with batsmen Chris Dent and Will Tavare.
Director of Cricket John Bracewell told this website: "Chris and Will are still a week away from returning to fitness, so thank goodness we have a break after the Essex game.
"Both should play in the second XI soon. Graeme McCarter has a knee problem, which will hopefully be cured by rest, while Will Gidman's knee is an ongoing issue, which means he won't play any one-day cricket for the time being.
"James Fuller's foot injury is some way from being right and Craig Miles has gone a little bit backwards in his recovery from a bulged disc. He should start bowling again over the next week or so."
John says he has seen signs of progress in Gloucestershire's T20 cricket this season and hopes it continues at Chelmsford.
"We are starting to grow as a group, which we have to do because we do not have that extra dynamic player that other clubs are able to buy in," he said.
"Our guys are beginning to show resourcefulness and to believe in themselves more. We are getting contributions from more individuals whereas last year it was the captain or nothing.
"T20 is a momentum game and we are feeling a bit better about it at the moment. We could have won all four completed games this season from the positions we were in and need to address the reasons why we haven't finished off against Somerset and Kent."
Team from; Michael Klinger (Capt), Alex Gidman, Ian Cockbain, Hamish Marshall, Benny Howell, Dan Housego, Cameron Herring (Wkt), Tom Smith, Jack Taylor, David Payne, Graeme McCarter, Liam Norwell
