Confidence Boost as Glos claim easy win

40L: Gloucestershire 230-5 (40ovs) beat Derbyshire 179 (35.3) by 51 runs.

Gloucestershire achieved what they simply had to do after their disastrous start to the season and beat Derbyshire.

A comfortable victory was a bonus, as was a wonderful 133 not out from James Franklin, whose first one-day hundred was exactly what is required from the top order in any form of cricket.

Franklin provided the innings that big scores are built on and while Gloucestershire only posted a competitive total, it was very pleasing to see big runs from the top of the order.

Franklin provided just what John Bracewell was asking for at the top of a one-day innings: power. He was able to clear in the in-field and use the powerplays - 10 fours and three sixes demonstrated as such.

Having posted a competitive score, it was the Gloucestershire of old as they defended it very tightly. Kirby's early breakthroughs and further wickets piled the pressure on the Derbyshire king-pin Chris Rogers and Gloucestershire were able to dismiss him relatively cheaply.

This was no victory of note, Derbyshire are quite an average team, but undoubtedly confidence ahead of Tuesday's match.