Skipper delighted by Howell and Cockbain's batting
26 May 2013
Skipper Michael Klinger praised fine innings from Benny Howell and Ian Cockbain after a 29-run victory against the Unicorns had put Gloucestershire top of the Yorkshire Bank Group C table.
Klinger made an important contribution of 61 to Gloucestershire's 260-7, but it was the momentum generated by Howell (75 not out) and Cockbain (53) which enabled the hosts to post a more challenging total than had seemed likely.
The pair put on 70 in seven overs for the fifth wicket and, in total, Gloucestershire took 112 from the final ten overs.
Klinger said: "I thought the way Benny and Ian finished (the innings) was unbelievable. It gave us that little buffer to stay ahead throughout the game. That was a great patnership by them.
"The Unicorns got away a little bit at the start of their innings, but we didn't bowl too badly, to be honest. Once we did get that first wicket, everybody lifted that extra 10 to 15 per cent in the field and with the ball and that put the screws on them.
"I thought Alex Gidman's bowling was terrific. He changed the game when he came on."
Klinger was naturally delighted to see Gloucestershire go top of the group, following Somerset's defeat against Leicestershire at Grace Road.
He said: I'm particularly pleased considering the poor game we had (at Leicestershire) at the start of the group. To come out and get three wins since then, and obviously there was a washout as well, is good and it's nice to be in a strong position.
"We've got a big game coming up against Yorkshire, who are a strong team, and that's going to be important to our chances. But if we perform like we have in the last couple of games, we should be able to take these strong teams on."
