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Tourist T20 Preview | Gloucestershire v New Zealand

26 August 2023

Gloucestershire host the visit of New Zealand in a Tourist T20 warm-up match at the Seat Unique Stadium on Sunday 27th August. The exciting 20-over fixture will be the Blackcaps' last match before the start of their IT20 series against England which starts on Wednesday 30th August.

Gloucestershire v New Zealand | Buy Tickets Here.

Team news

Having achieved qualification for the Semi-Final of the Metro Bank One Day Cup, Gloucestershire's coaching staff have rested all but four players who were selected in the squad that faced Lancashire on Friday.

Josh Shaw, Zaman Akhter, Zafar Gohar and Joe Phillips are included in the initial 11-player squad that's been selected to take on the touring New Zealand side. A host of exciting youngsters also make the cut as Gloucestershire look to provide first-team exposure to the next generation. 

Having appeared in the National Counties match vs Wiltshire earlier in August, Tommy Boorman, aged 18, is given another chance to impress in the Glos first-team. The top-order batter last week represented an England u19s development side vs Australia in two 50-over games, scoring 46 off 42 balls in the first match. 

Ahmed Syed, also 18, is an all rounder left-arm spinner/batter who has taken 20 wickets in the second XI this season in all formats at 20.65. Syed is also the second leading wicket taker nationally in the under 18s three-day competition. 

16-year-old Zaman shafi, meanwhile, is a talented wicketkeeper-batter who has played a number of second team games and has kept well to both seam and spin.

Luke Charlesworth, Ed Middleton and Will Naish make up the potential starting XI for Shire.

Dale Benkenstein, Head Coach at Gloucestershire Cricket, said: "It's hugely exciting to be coming up against a top international outfit in New Zealand and I'm sure it'll be a great occassion for everyone involved. Selection for this match, however, has naturally been impacted by our qualification for the semi-final of the One Day Cup on Tuesday and this has to be our priority.

"That being said, it does mean we have been able to create some really exciting opportunities for younger members of the squad and offer a selection of standout Academy players the chance to play first team cricket alongside some of the best players in the world.

"The likes of Ahmed Syed, Zaman Shafi and Ed Middleton have really impressed in second team cricket in recent weeks and and I'm looking forward to seeing them in action in front of a packed Seat Unique Stadium tomorrow."

Your Gloucestershire squad to face New Zealand:

Dominic Goodman*, Tommy Boorman, Joe Phillips, Will Naish, Zafar Gohar, Ahmed Syed, Ed Middleton, Josh Shaw, Zaman Akhter, Luke Charlesworth, Zaman Shafi.

Last time out

Gloucestershire made it six wins in a row vs Lancashire in the Metro Bank One Day Cup Quarter-Final. Miles Hammond starred with the bat as he scored 109* to guide Glos to an eight wicket victory over the visitors.

The commanding win sets up a mouth-watering Semi-Final vs Leicestershire on Tuesday 29th August.

Our opponents

New Zealand played out their first warm-up match ahead of the IT20 series vs England on Friday 25th August. The Blackcaps ran out as winners by seven wickets, scoring 126/3 in reply to Worcestershire's 121 all out.

Former Shire player Glenn Phillips scored 32 off 15 balls while Chad Bowers scored 35 off 17.

With the ball Kyle Jamieson, Rachin Ravindra and Lockie Ferguson all took three wickets apiece.

How to watch

Gloucestershire face New Zealand on Sunday 27th August at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol.

The game will be streamed live in the Glos Cricket Match Centre. Coverage begins at 5:50pm.

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