SUNDAY 19th APRIL
Gloucestershire v Sussex
Bristol, FPT, 12:00
Live coverage on BBC Radio Bristol and on Twitter: www.twitter.com/TheShire09
Cricket returns to the county ground on Sunday as the shire open their Friends Provident campaign against a Sussex side who have not been victorious at Bristol since 1996.
Good weather is forecast for the match so hopefully the new drainage system won't be required, however, the test will be how well the new turf has bedded in or weather the match would be better staged at the Memorial Ground.
Sussex arrive having only won three 50-over matches since lifting the trophy in 2006, but boast a competitive squad - including England wicketkeeper Matt Prior - that claimed the pro40 title last season.
Although Gloucestershire have had the upper hand over Sussex in recent seasons they will be wary of Luke Wright, who's wonderful 125 from 73 balls defeated the shire at Hove in 2007.
The only likely team change for the Glos from the draw at Surrey will be David Brown for Kadir Ali. Brown will provide an extra bowling option, the type of which is effective in one-day cricket by containing the opposition.
A competitive contest is expected, with excting one-day cricketers on both sides but hopefully the shire's one-day pedigree will return and the excellent record against Sussex at Bristol can continue.
From the line-up suggested, I don't see any of the batsmen from Surrey being dropped (obv. Snell for Adshead), but more of a selection between two of Ireland, Brown and Banerjee for the extra bowling positions (the certainties being Lewis, Kirby and Franklin)
ReplyDeleteAt least there's the easy blame of the curse of your prediction (see above) should we lose... ;-)
Alas, a great performance continued the record!!
ReplyDelete