Humilation as Glos lose again

LVCC: Sussex 152 & 302 beat Gloucestershire 128 & 119 by 207 runs (PTS: Sussex 19, Glos 3)

A long-standing Gloucestershire member died recently and half-way through the morning session on day three the Gloucestershire colours were lowered to half-mast in his honour. One could have been forgiven for thinking a white flag was about to be hoisted in the opposite direction.

Once again Gloucestershire were humiliated by a batting display completely devoid of spirit of determination.

It wasn't just the low scores that irked the members but the speed in which the wickets fell. Only two innings have just managed to straddle into a second session. Completely inept batting and no-one seemingly prepared to fight.

What will be most concerning for supporters is that no-one is waiting in the wings to replace the batsmen. Youngster Chris Dent was already being given his chance and he failed along with the rest of the order.

What could be done is a shifting of the batting order. If Dent is not replaced by Dawson at Lord's - likely because a spinner will probably be required at the home of cricket - he should be sent down the order. Probably too young to be batting at three in first class cricket. A more experienced batsman needs to set up.

Steve Snell could be inserted at three. The only batsman to escape from these two disasters with a modicum of respectability. Snell may also be asked to keep wicket at Lord's because the form of Jonathan Batty is perhaps the most concerning of the concerns for Gloucestershire supporters.

Batty was dreadful with the gloves - regularly spilling straightforward takes and 18 byes in the match speaks volumes. He was also the most disappointing failure with the bat, having brought a wealth of experience with him from Surrey.

Things could yet get worse for Gloucestershire because batting at Lord's in the forecast cloudier weather against Steven Finn and Tim Murtagh will not be an easy task. It may have to get a little worse before batting-haven at the Oval provides some respite.