We Need To Play More Mature Cricket - Klinger
4 May 2013
Michael Klinger offered no excuses after Gloucestershire's one-day season had started with a 115-run thrashing by Leicestershire at Grace Road in the Yorkshire Bank 40 competition.
It was back down to earth with a bump after the excellent LV=County Championship win at the same venue as tame bowling alllowed the home side to run up 289 all out off their 40 overs after Klinger had won the toss.
Openers Niall O'Brien and Josh Cobb both scored centuries in a stand of 193, the highest partnership for any wicket by a Leicestershire pair in a one-day game against Gloucestershire.
In reply Gloucestershire were never competitive as they slumped to 27-4, with both Chris Dent and Klinger losing their wickets to run-outs. Some spirited resistance from the lower order saw them bowled out for 174.
After the game skipper Klinger said: "We were on top of the world yesterday after the Championship win, but today nothing went to plan.
"There probably wasn't enough variation to our bowling with the new ball. We didn't respond when Leicestershire openers took the game to us
"We don't have bowlers who can blast opponents out, but we need to be less predictable. We could have changed our pace more.
"I felt we finished their innings well, with David Payne in particular executing his skills, and that we had a chance at the halfway stage.
"Unfortunately if you lose four wickets in the opening power play you are always going to up against it. Run outs are soft dismissals.
"I am still learning about the players. I know the talent is there, but we need to play more mature cricket than was the case today."
There was a promising contribution from Graeme McCarter, who took 2-36 from his eight overs and made 18 not out as last man when Gloucestershire batted.
Payne claimed 3-45 from seven overs and made 19, while Ed Young took 2-65 and top scored with 29. Gareth Roderick hit 27 on debut.
But the day belonged to 22-year-old Leicestershire skipper Cobb, who hit 107, and O'Brien, whose contribution was 104.
For more details of the game click on Match Reports.
