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PREVIEW: Dawson keeps continuity for Hampshire's visit

27 July 2017

Head coach Richard Dawson hasn't wavered in his thinking on selection as Gloucestershire prepare for two matches in successive days in the NatWest T20 Blast, starting with Hampshire at the Brightside Ground on Friday (6.30pm).

In the wake of losing for the first time in the South Group to Glamorgan, Dawson confirmed after a two hour training session on Thursday that the squad would be unchanged with Gareth Roderick and Chris Liddle chosen in addition to the team on duty on Tuesday evening.

Gloucestershire squad:

Klinger (c), Mustard, Cockbain, Hankins, Roderick, Howell, J.Taylor, Noema-Barnett, Perera, Payne, Smith, M.Taylor, Liddle

Hampshire squad:

James Vince, Lewis McManus, Reece Topley, Shahid Afridi, Mason Crane, Tom Alsop, Michael Carberry, Rilee Rossouw, George Bailey, Fidel Edwards, Gareth Berg, Kyle Abbott, Sean Ervine, Brad Wheal, Liam Dawson, Chris Wood

Chris Dent - who chiefly batted at number four in the competition last season and is currently Gloucestershire's leading run scorer in four day cricket this summer - is yet to feature in the side but Dawson insists nothing should be read into his absence.

"You could name others who haven't played either, it's purely down to selection" he said. "George Hankins has done well in the second XI in T20 cricket and he scored runs in the 50 over games when given the chance. All we ever do is chose a line up which we back to do the job."

Hampshire have been consistent performers in the 20 over format in recent seasons, lifting the Trophy in 2012 in one of six consecutive years in which they reached Finals Day. They come to the Brightside Ground off the back of a 14 run defeat to Somerset in a high scoring game at Taunton, and Richard Dawson knows they will be keen to regain some momentum.

"They made a decent fist of chasing over 200" he went on. "James Vince got them away to a fast start and the batsmen in the lower order got them close to winning. Mason Crane didn't play but they've got a decent bowling attack and good options amongst their batting and a wealth of experience."

"They've got a lot of lads who have won trophies in the past. When they had the likes of Dimitri Mascarehas in their side they developed a set game structure which suited them very well. Some of the players have moved on and been replaced, but they still have match winners who can turn a game."

Tickets are available on the gate from 4.30pm.

Gloucestershire's other two home fixtures in the South Group at the Brightside Ground are the local derby with Somerset (Friday August 4, 6.30pm SOLD OUT) and a Family Day clash against Essex (Sunday August 13, 2.30pm). Click here to book tickets

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