Will Back To Face Kent
17 May 2014
Will Gidman returned to Gloucestershire’s team for the LV=County Championship match against Kent at Bristol, starting today.
The all-rounder missed the defeat by Surrey at The Oval because of a knee problem, but has responded to treatment and declared himself fit to spearhead the bowling attack in place of the injured Ian Saxelby.
Two other changes were made from the Surrey game, with Gareth Roderick replacing Cameron Herring behind the stumps and Tom Smith coming in for Graeme McCarter.
Gloucestershire won the toss and elected to bat first under cloudless skies at the County Ground.
Will Gidman has already taken 14 Championship wickets this season in just five innings, so his recovery was a welcome positive as Michael Klinger and his team chased a first Championship win of the season.
The news is not so good on three other seam bowlers under treatment. David Payne had hoped to be back for the NatWest T20 Blast game against Somerset, but is still experiencing discomfort from a bruised heel.
He misses Kent game, as does Craig Miles, whose back injury has been diagnosed as a bulged disc. The young pace bowler, who claimed 43 Championship wickets last season, has yet to feature this summer and will be out for at least another fortnight.
Ian Saxelby is awaiting the results of a scan on the knee problem he suffered at The Oval where he was able to bowl only two balls.
Director of cricket John Bracewell told this website: “We think Ian’s injury is related to his previous knee problem, but we will know more when the scan results come back, hopefully on Monday.
“There is no point in David Payne returning until he can bear down fully on his heel, which is not the case at the moment. If we try to bring him back too soon it could bother him all season.
“Craig Miles’ problem has been very frustrating. But we know what is causing it now and hopefully he will be ready in two weeks or so.”
