T20 Will Be A Blast Promises Bracewell
10 May 2014
John Bracewell looked forward to NatWest Blast showdown with Somerset next Friday evening (5.30pm) and insisted: “We are going to enjoy our Twenty20 cricket this season.”
Gloucestershire’s Director of Cricket is as determined as ever to mastermind a victory over Marcus Trescothick and co, who will arrive at the County Ground as one of the favourites to win the competition.
But, with his team starting on a two-point penalty in their group, imposed for producing a sub-standard pitch at Cheltenham last season, John will be urging them to play without pressure or fear.
He told this website: “We haven't been expected to do well in T20 for a while now and it’s about time we started enjoying it.
“This year we are going to be clear about what each player’s game plan is for 20-over cricket and will measure them on how well they execute their plan.
“But we are also going to engage in the environment of Friday night cricket, bearing in mind that it needs to be the best party in town."
John believes NatWest Blast fixtures will be about more than achieving success on the field.
He said: “It is not necessarily traditional sports supporters who come to T20 games. Winning is important, but above all people want to have some good entertainment.
“That means we have to play with a certain style and engage the public in what is going on. It is a new emphasis for us in that respect.
“Spectators will be looking to see batsmen hit the ball out of the park. They will also want to see games going down to the last ball, win or lose, and the commitment and physicality in the field that T20 can bring.
“We cannot afford to have dead periods in games or matches where the outcome is sewn up at the halfway point."
Gloucestershire could hardly have hoped for a more exciting opening fixture. Given decent weather, next Friday will see a bumper crowd and a fantastic atmosphere.
John added: “The Somerset game is a huge one in our calendar and a massive test for our commercial staff as well as the players.
“Together we have to deliver a product people want to return to. In a way the Gloucestershire and Somerset teams are the hired bands in the middle of the sort of festival we are so good at organising in this country now.
“I am not a horsey person, but when I went to Badminton I had a fantastic day because of all that was going on around the horse trials. It can be the same with T20 for people who are not traditional cricket fans.
“As a club we need to have that ‘great day out’ mentality and the playing side are fully aware of that.”
Tickets for the Somerset game can be booked via www.gloscricket.co.uk/tickets.
