Squad Prepared For Crunch Clash At Taunton
11 July 2014
John Bracewell believes Gloucestershire are ready to cope with the Lion's Den atmosphere of a packed house when facing arch-rivals Somerset in tonight's make-or-break NatWest T20 Blast match at Taunton.
The game is a sell-out and the visitors will have to handle a partisan home crowd as well as their powerful opponents to secure the victory needed to boost hopes of a top four finish in the South Division and a place in the quarter-finals.
In past years the prospect might have daunted younger members of Gloucestershire's squad. But Director of Cricket Bracewell insists the whole squad are now ready and eager to test themselves in such an atmosphere.
John said: "It's always a challenge facing Somerset and particularly in their neck of the woods where we will face a hostile environment.
"But we are now match-hardened to cope with that and it's a challenge we look forward to. It doesn't need anything extra to set up a match with our neighbours, but it is a big game for both teams.
"Like ourselves, Somerset are struggling to get into that fourth place so the result is of great importance. The winners will need to keep winning and the losers will have to scrap even harder to reach the last eight."
Somerset go into the game one point and one place ahead of Gloucestershire, with both sides having played ten of their 14 group matches. They are expected to give a debut to South African batsman Colin Ingram, recruited to replace overseas signing Alviro Petersen while he is on tour with South Africa.
Glamorgan currently occupy fourth place in the South Division, two points ahead of Somerset, having also played ten games.
Gloucestershire, who began the campaign with a two-point penalty, can approach the derby clash in confident mood following successive wins over Kent and Sussex, which look to be giving the team some momentum.
John added: "We are now stringing together some very competitive performances. The Sussex game was a key one for both teams and by winning it we have kept ourselves in the running.
"Our squad has been severely stretched by injuries, but players are stepping up to the plate when needed. We are ready and eager face Somerset. Bring it on!"
Michael Klinger is fit again after his broken toe and is expected to lead the team.
Gloucestershire from: Klinger (C), Dent, A Gidman, Cockbain, Marshall, Howell, Rouse (W), W Gidman, Smith, J Taylor, Payne, McCarter, Norwell.
