Sussex Sharks Preview: Marshall back for last T20 Blast match in Bristol
25 June 2015
Gloucestershire are hoping to welcome back opening batsman Hamish Marshall for the NatWest T20 Blast clash with Sussex Sharks in Bristol (June 26).
The New Zealander – who scored 149 at an average of 37 in the first four South Group games - has missed the last four with calf injury.
In his absence the side lost three Blast matches as well two LV=County Championship games.
Head coach Richard Dawson admits that the side has missed Marshall’s contribution at the top of the order.
He said: “Hamish had been getting us off to good starts in T20 cricket and playing really well, so it will be good to have him back.
Gloucestershire have won four and lost four in the South Group so far, including their last two games to Somerset and Glamorgan respectively but they are still very much in contention for a top four spot that would take them into the quarter finals.
In front of a full house against local-rivals Somerset, Gloucestershire struggled in both power plays, an area that Dawson believes they will need to improve for the visit of Sussex.
He said: “Our first six overs in both innings against Somerset were not good enough. We had a blip with our batting, but bowling-wise giving away too many boundaries early on was something we had talked about before.
“The bowlers concerned have shown they can keep things tight, but not on a consistent enough basis. We will be doing some detailed practice going into the Sussex match and hope to see it pay off.”
Gloucestershire lost to Sussex by six runs at Hove earlier in the season and wicketkeeper/batsman Geraint Jones said the team will be looking to improve on that performance in the re-match.
He said: “We didn’t play our best stuff against them first off. Jack (Taylor) and Tom (Smith) hit a few at the back end but the scores flattered us a bit.
“They are coming here in good form after last two wins last weekend and they will be strengthened by George Bailey who is a fantastic player who has been successful at the highest level.
“The way the group has gone everyone is beating each other and it will come down to the second half. There is a real opportunity for any team to get on a winning run and reach the quarter finals and that is is our aim.”
The game against the Sharks is Gloucestershire’s final T20 Blast match at the Bristol County Ground with their last two home games taking place at the Brewin Dolphin Cheltenham Festival.
Gloucestershire Team News
Squad: Marshall, Klinger (C), Cockbain, Handscomb, Howell, Jones (W), Noema-Barnett, J. Taylor, Fuller, Miles, Payne, Hammond, Smith.
Sussex Sharks
The Sharks sealed back-to-back away victories last weekend as they beat both Hampshire and Glamorgan respectively, the latter by 10 wickets.
A superb unbeaten opening partnership between captain Luke Wright (57 not out) and Chris Nash (53 not out) ensured Sussex beat Glamorgan with 46 balls to spare. The two victories have moved up the Sharks into fourth place in the South Group, one place and one point above their hosts.
Sussex remain unable to call upon seamers Jimmy Anyon, Lewis Hatchett, Chris Jordan and Ajmal Shahzad due to injury. Michael Yardy and Ashar Zaidi will both late fitness tests.
Sussex Team News
Squad: GJ Bailey, WAT Beer, BC Brown, C Cachopa, HZ Finch, ME Hobden, CJ Liddle, MW Machan, TS Mills, CD Nash, OE Robinson, LJ Wright (c), MH Yardy, SAA Zaidi
Key Man
Following the departure of Mahela Jayawardene, the Sharks will be hoping for big things from his replacement, former Australia T20 captain George Bailey. The destructive batsman is yet to take to the crease for his new club after Sussex romped to a 10 wicket win over Glamorgan last time out.
Tasmanian Bailey has played five Tests, 57 ODIs and 28 T20s for Australia as well as starring in the IPL and Big Bash.
He has made a combined total of more than 2600 runs in T20 cricket (internationals and domestic) with an international strike rate in excess of 140.
Gloucestershire v Sussex Sharks Opta Facts
Correct to June 25
- The last four T20s between these teams have been won by the team batting first.
- A defeat for Gloucestershire would be their third consecutive home loss, their worst such run since losing four in a row at home across the 2010 & 2011 seasons.
- Tom Smith (three) has taken the most wickets stumped this season.
- Smith (10.9) has the lowest average of anyone taking at least 10 wickets this season.
- Sussex recorded their first 10-wicket win in T20s in their last game, away to Glamorgan.
- Glos are the only team to have two players with over 300 runs to their name in this year’s competition; Michael Klinger (457 – second highest overall) and Ian Cockbain (301 – sixth overall)
Last Time We Met
NatWest T20 Blast, May 17 2015 at Hove
Sussex Sharks 167-5 (Nash 43, Jayawardene 43) (Smith 3-23)
Gloucestershire 161-9 (Marshall 45, Mills 3-30)
Sussex Sharks won by six runs
Head to Head
| Gloucestershire | Sussex Sharks | |
| Games | 8 | 8 |
| Won | 3 | 5 |
| Lost | 5 | 3 |
| Tied | 0 | 0 |
| Win % | 37.5 | 62.5 |
NatWest T20 Blast South Group Table
ITEC are the match sponsor this Friday
