WEDNESDAY 6th MAY - SATURDAY 9th MAY
Leicestershire (h)
Bristol, LVCC, 11:00
Gloucestershire go into Wednesday's county championship match against Leicestershire with aspirations of claiming another victory and continuing their impressive start to the season.
Last week's victory at Northampton will have been a big relief for the players who had to wait 19 months to record another four-day win, but hopefully now the winning feeling is back and the cricket that is required to win in the championship can be reproduced.
A major reservation of the Shire, however, is the injury situation. The first choice X1 is strong and one would expect any team to be given a decent game, however, the Glos sincerely lack strength in depth and the sight of several first choice players on the physio's table is concerning.
James Franklin hasn't been completely fit since his arrival and although his absence hasn't cost much, it would be desirable to have the oversees player out on the pitch more often than not!
Saying that, Tom Stayt enjoyed a good season debut at Headingley. He bowled with some pace and could prove useful in four-day cricket, when simply containment is not enough. His non-inclusion in the 2nd X1 squad bound for Surrey this week suggests he is set to play against Leicestershire.
Leicestershire being one of the weaker teams in the division, and the game being at Bristol, the money is surely on the in-form Glos looking to go one better than the two draws the teams managed last season. Particularly as in the two meetings, the Shire were in good positions to force a victory, but were thwarted by the weather.
According to the glos website we arent playing a wicketkeeper in this game...neither snell nor adshead appear to be in the 13-man squad.
ReplyDeleteSurely this is just a mistake and someone else (Taylor?)isnt going to keep wicket?
I'm stunned - even Betfair have got us down as favourites! (@1.86) ..there can't be many times in the last decade we've gone into a Championship game with that honour! Let's live up to this billing!
ReplyDeleteRegarding WK, maybe the fact that nearly everyone got a bowl last time means everyone wanted a go at keeping this week!
However, I suspect it's just an error - especially as the 2nds are down as losing by 160 'minutes' in their game v Surrey which, unless they're playing a form of cricket I've not encountered yet, must mean 160 'runs'!
I see that Banerjee isn't playing.
ReplyDeleteIs he injured? If so that is a blow.
Leicestershire were going well, but there's been a massive collapse from 80-0 to 128-9; Anthony Ireland, of all people, has taken six wickets; Bracewell must be a miracle worker.
ReplyDeleteNot heard anything to suggest Banerjee is injured so I wonder if it a decision based on two factors:
ReplyDelete1. The performance of the seam bowlers in the last game at Bristol and the way the conditions significantly favoured them.
2. Taylor's bowling performance at the weekend ..I know Taylor is no specialist spinner, but in light of point 1, he could certainly do a job without needing a specialist in there.
Just my thoughts mind...
Conditions would have omitted Banerjee.
ReplyDeletelol usual typos by the offy.