There has been no better time to follow your county and this season, Gloucestershire coverage is bigger and better than ever
Gloucestershire Cricket Radio will once again be providing LIVE ball-by-ball coverage of every LV= County Championship match, ensuring every game of Gloucestershire's season is broadcast live.
Join the team from 10:55 each day on www.gloscricketradio.co.uk for full coverage of Gloucestershire's promotion push.
The Gloucestershire Cricket Podcast - featuring the best analysis and reaction - will also be available to download from www.gloscricketradio.co.uk - log on now to download the season-preview, including the thoughts of Alex Gidman, Jon Batty and John Bracewell.
This blog will continue to provide the best analysis, reaction on the web and updated faster than anywhere else! Ensuring that Gloucestershire cricket is properly covered, as it deserves to be.
Also, log on to www.twitter.com/glosccc for all the lastest Gloucestershire cricket updates - the best way to keep in touch with regular updates throughout every day of the season.
As ever, all the official club news is available on www.gloscricket.co.uk and updates at www.twitter.com/gloscricket.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Friday, April 02, 2010
Marshall wants International Return
Gloucestershire batsman Hamish Marshall has signalled his desire to return to international cricket - with Ireland.
Marshall holds an Irish passport and would be eligible to play for them from April 2011 - subject to ICC approval.
But the former New Zealand international gave assurances to his county commitments: "I certainly love playing county cricket with Gloucestershire and plan to do so for some time yet.
"However, I miss international cricket and, being an Irish passport-holder, there's hopefully an opportunity to combine both with Ireland," he said.
Marshall, who last played international cricket at the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies and who has test century against Australia to his name, has also expressed an interest in coaching in the country.
Cricket Ireland coach Phil Simmons said: "It would be a great boost for Irish cricket to have a player of the calibre of Hamish Marshall available."
Should Marshall play for Ireland he would link up with Gloucestershire team mate Will Porterfield and would also reverse a trend of cricketers moving away from the Irish national side. Eoin Morgan and Ed Joyce both represented Ireland before making the switch to play for England.
Marshall holds an Irish passport and would be eligible to play for them from April 2011 - subject to ICC approval.
But the former New Zealand international gave assurances to his county commitments: "I certainly love playing county cricket with Gloucestershire and plan to do so for some time yet.
"However, I miss international cricket and, being an Irish passport-holder, there's hopefully an opportunity to combine both with Ireland," he said.
Marshall, who last played international cricket at the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies and who has test century against Australia to his name, has also expressed an interest in coaching in the country.
Cricket Ireland coach Phil Simmons said: "It would be a great boost for Irish cricket to have a player of the calibre of Hamish Marshall available."
Should Marshall play for Ireland he would link up with Gloucestershire team mate Will Porterfield and would also reverse a trend of cricketers moving away from the Irish national side. Eoin Morgan and Ed Joyce both represented Ireland before making the switch to play for England.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Ground given Go-ahead
Bristol City Council have voted in favour of the planning application for the development of Gloucestershire County Cricket Ground - despite it being "shot with holes".
After much discussion, the plans were passed by five votes to three and Gloucestershire's ambitions to transform Nevil Road into a proper international cricket venue can become reality.
The consensus among councillors was that the ground provided significant benefits to Bristol but there were objections to the application, particularly surrounding the scale of the proposed student accommodation, with Councillor Anthony Negus (Cotham, Lib Dem.) describing the plans as being "shot with holes".
Cllr Negus had serious reservations over the height of the student accommodation. "I am a conservation architect. We're making serious concessions on two grade listed buildings. I'm very worried," he said.
Overall though, councillors accepted the need for the development for the benefit of Bristol. "What is Bristol about? Having major sporting facilities is what makes Bristol, Bristol," said Cllr Steve Comer (Eastville, Lib Dem.) "We want to encourage kids to play sport. You can't do that with a development at Cribbs Causeway."
Cllr Jay Jethwa (Stockwood, Con.) recognised the need for development for the club and the city. "Bristol lacks up to date sporting facilities. I fully sympathise with local residents but there is a desperate need to update this cricket ground," she said.
With plans approved, it will be a final opportunity for fans of the Mound stand to take their seats - the stands adjacent to the City of Bristol college will form phase one of the development with building set to commence at the end of the coming season.
Phase two will see the pavilion end developed at the close of 2011 with the whole project set for completion by the end of 2012.
So how will Gloucestershire cope until 2014 without any international cricket (save this year's Bangladesh match) and mounting debt? The chances of squad development will be almost non-existent, with the possibilities of holding onto to sought-after players becoming slimmer. It may well be things have to get worse before they can get better.
Worse indeed, because a large debt will need to be serviced long into the future - something that is said to be preventing many clubs from major investment in their playing staff. It will be some years before the Gloucestershire accounts show a surplus once more, so how can success on the field be nurtured during this period?
What Gloucestershire can now do is sell the future. Nevil Road is secure and the prospects of vastly improved cricketing facilities, corporate entertainment and spectator comfort can be used to improve not only the club's balance sheet but the commitment to the actual cricket club also.
Could this be the beginning a new era for a forward-thinking Gloucestershire CCC?
After much discussion, the plans were passed by five votes to three and Gloucestershire's ambitions to transform Nevil Road into a proper international cricket venue can become reality.
The consensus among councillors was that the ground provided significant benefits to Bristol but there were objections to the application, particularly surrounding the scale of the proposed student accommodation, with Councillor Anthony Negus (Cotham, Lib Dem.) describing the plans as being "shot with holes".
Cllr Negus had serious reservations over the height of the student accommodation. "I am a conservation architect. We're making serious concessions on two grade listed buildings. I'm very worried," he said.
Overall though, councillors accepted the need for the development for the benefit of Bristol. "What is Bristol about? Having major sporting facilities is what makes Bristol, Bristol," said Cllr Steve Comer (Eastville, Lib Dem.) "We want to encourage kids to play sport. You can't do that with a development at Cribbs Causeway."
Cllr Jay Jethwa (Stockwood, Con.) recognised the need for development for the club and the city. "Bristol lacks up to date sporting facilities. I fully sympathise with local residents but there is a desperate need to update this cricket ground," she said.
With plans approved, it will be a final opportunity for fans of the Mound stand to take their seats - the stands adjacent to the City of Bristol college will form phase one of the development with building set to commence at the end of the coming season.
Phase two will see the pavilion end developed at the close of 2011 with the whole project set for completion by the end of 2012.
So how will Gloucestershire cope until 2014 without any international cricket (save this year's Bangladesh match) and mounting debt? The chances of squad development will be almost non-existent, with the possibilities of holding onto to sought-after players becoming slimmer. It may well be things have to get worse before they can get better.
Worse indeed, because a large debt will need to be serviced long into the future - something that is said to be preventing many clubs from major investment in their playing staff. It will be some years before the Gloucestershire accounts show a surplus once more, so how can success on the field be nurtured during this period?
What Gloucestershire can now do is sell the future. Nevil Road is secure and the prospects of vastly improved cricketing facilities, corporate entertainment and spectator comfort can be used to improve not only the club's balance sheet but the commitment to the actual cricket club also.
Could this be the beginning a new era for a forward-thinking Gloucestershire CCC?
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Rex: the new Body in charge
Gloucestershire recently voted in their new chairman, Rex Body, TheShireBlog asks whether Rex is the man of the future...
The boardroom has spoken, Rex Body is the new chairman of Gloucestershire. With the on-field improvements and off-field proposals, will he be the man to lead the Shire into a new dawn?
Possibly, if the current standing of the club was sufficient to sail into a new era. But a heavy financial loss and difficulties in developing the ground suggest that more than window dressing is required.
Rex is a true Gloucestershire man I'm sure. 11 years of service, deputy chairman and executive board member in charge of ground development. A fine chap, worthy of such a role. But worthiness and suitability are two entirely different issues and is where this blog raises an eyebrow.
I'm all for continuity with traditional sports clubs. Leicester Tigers RFC are the prime example of keeping people who know the club in the club and continuing to produce success - things didn't quite work for them when the South African Heyneke Meyer was appointed head coach.
The Tigers have been very shrewd animals and have experienced clubmen and businessmen in place to run the club. Chairman Peter Tom was chief executive of Aggregate Industries and made 130 appearances for Leicester in the 1960's.
Now a similar man in Gloucestershire may simply not exist, let alone be available, but it would seem appointing a lapdog to the previous regime is not going to provide the change most members would accept is required to move forward.
Many would argue fresh impetus is what Gloucestershire require. Most question its running as a business and a cricket club and the promotion of an old-stager along the front bench may be seen as an Iain Duncan-Smith when a David Cameron is called upon.
Rex Body has worked on the plans for the development of Nevil Road for a long time and is the ideal person to push through those plans. Great, if those plans are the best for the club’s future. But this appointment is an acceptance that these plans are the best, no negotiation; an insider on the job isn't going to reassess his hard work in a hurry.
Will Rex’s priority be to sort the ground out so everyone can breathe a momentary sigh of relief? Granted the ground issue is one of vital importance for the club but is a one-dimensional effort going to reap the best results?
Bath rugby club have toiled away for years trying to address their ground problems. Eventually, they realised they were failing to see the wood for the trees and hired Nick Blofeld - a man who revolutionised Epsom racecourse - to provide the fresh impetus the project requires.
What else of the new chairman? Is he to use his new-found powers to make an impact in the marketing or merchandising departments? Does a man who distinctly served Rolls Royce for many years posses such ideas? Or is that not his job? A more cynical author may suggest the chairman is only there to drink with the shareholders; I’m sure Peter Tom CBE would consider otherwise.
What is the new chairman going to do? What did the outgoing chairman do? If you look hard enough there are facial similarities. One wonders whether the similarities stretch to pound-note blindedness over the Sky television issue.
What the outgoing chairman did not do was stick around for any great length of time. How long will the age and wisdom of Rex Body last at the helm? Long enough to oversee a county championship victory? Long enough to shake off the reliance on ECB handouts?
A cliché perhaps, but only time will tell is the fairest conclusion. But is Rex Body the forward-thinking initiator Tom Richardson requested to work alongside him? A pause for thought indeed.
The boardroom has spoken, Rex Body is the new chairman of Gloucestershire. With the on-field improvements and off-field proposals, will he be the man to lead the Shire into a new dawn?
Possibly, if the current standing of the club was sufficient to sail into a new era. But a heavy financial loss and difficulties in developing the ground suggest that more than window dressing is required.
Rex is a true Gloucestershire man I'm sure. 11 years of service, deputy chairman and executive board member in charge of ground development. A fine chap, worthy of such a role. But worthiness and suitability are two entirely different issues and is where this blog raises an eyebrow.
I'm all for continuity with traditional sports clubs. Leicester Tigers RFC are the prime example of keeping people who know the club in the club and continuing to produce success - things didn't quite work for them when the South African Heyneke Meyer was appointed head coach.
The Tigers have been very shrewd animals and have experienced clubmen and businessmen in place to run the club. Chairman Peter Tom was chief executive of Aggregate Industries and made 130 appearances for Leicester in the 1960's.
Now a similar man in Gloucestershire may simply not exist, let alone be available, but it would seem appointing a lapdog to the previous regime is not going to provide the change most members would accept is required to move forward.
Many would argue fresh impetus is what Gloucestershire require. Most question its running as a business and a cricket club and the promotion of an old-stager along the front bench may be seen as an Iain Duncan-Smith when a David Cameron is called upon.
Rex Body has worked on the plans for the development of Nevil Road for a long time and is the ideal person to push through those plans. Great, if those plans are the best for the club’s future. But this appointment is an acceptance that these plans are the best, no negotiation; an insider on the job isn't going to reassess his hard work in a hurry.
Will Rex’s priority be to sort the ground out so everyone can breathe a momentary sigh of relief? Granted the ground issue is one of vital importance for the club but is a one-dimensional effort going to reap the best results?
Bath rugby club have toiled away for years trying to address their ground problems. Eventually, they realised they were failing to see the wood for the trees and hired Nick Blofeld - a man who revolutionised Epsom racecourse - to provide the fresh impetus the project requires.
What else of the new chairman? Is he to use his new-found powers to make an impact in the marketing or merchandising departments? Does a man who distinctly served Rolls Royce for many years posses such ideas? Or is that not his job? A more cynical author may suggest the chairman is only there to drink with the shareholders; I’m sure Peter Tom CBE would consider otherwise.
What is the new chairman going to do? What did the outgoing chairman do? If you look hard enough there are facial similarities. One wonders whether the similarities stretch to pound-note blindedness over the Sky television issue.
What the outgoing chairman did not do was stick around for any great length of time. How long will the age and wisdom of Rex Body last at the helm? Long enough to oversee a county championship victory? Long enough to shake off the reliance on ECB handouts?
A cliché perhaps, but only time will tell is the fairest conclusion. But is Rex Body the forward-thinking initiator Tom Richardson requested to work alongside him? A pause for thought indeed.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Kirby in Lions Squad
Gloucestershire's Steve Kirby has been included in the England Lions squad that will tour the United Arab Emirates next month.
Kirby's fantastic 2009 season has earned him the call up for the tour, which includes a fixture against the senior England team.
The 32-year-old has been rewarded for a fine effort in county cricket - 64 county championship wickets at 22.18 - and now has the opportunity to impress at the next level. He still harbours ambitions to represent his country at senior level and will relish further chances to impress the selectors - particularly with the tour party to Bangladesh being announced immediately after the Lions' fixtures.
The one-day tour takes place throughout February and begins with a Twenty20 match against the UAE in Sharjah, followed by two Twenty20 games against Pakistan A at the same venue before a third in Abu Dhabi, also the scene for a T20 against the senior England side. The party then move to Dubai for three 50-over matches against Pakistan A to complete the tour.
The squad includes Ian Bell who is being given an opportunity to stake a claim for a return to the England one-day setup.
Full squad: AW Gale (captain, Yorkshire), IR Bell (Warwickshire), MA Carberry (Hampshire), MJ Lumb (Hampshire), JWA Taylor (Leicestershire), C Kieswetter (wkt, Somerset), SM Davies (wkt, Surrey), PD Trego (Somerset), JC Tredwell (Kent), AU Rashid (Yorkshire), SI Mahmood (Lancashire), CR Woakes (Warwickshire), ST Finn (Middlesex), SP Kirby (Gloucestershire), DJ Wainwright (Yorkshire).
Kirby's fantastic 2009 season has earned him the call up for the tour, which includes a fixture against the senior England team.
The 32-year-old has been rewarded for a fine effort in county cricket - 64 county championship wickets at 22.18 - and now has the opportunity to impress at the next level. He still harbours ambitions to represent his country at senior level and will relish further chances to impress the selectors - particularly with the tour party to Bangladesh being announced immediately after the Lions' fixtures.
The one-day tour takes place throughout February and begins with a Twenty20 match against the UAE in Sharjah, followed by two Twenty20 games against Pakistan A at the same venue before a third in Abu Dhabi, also the scene for a T20 against the senior England side. The party then move to Dubai for three 50-over matches against Pakistan A to complete the tour.
The squad includes Ian Bell who is being given an opportunity to stake a claim for a return to the England one-day setup.
Full squad: AW Gale (captain, Yorkshire), IR Bell (Warwickshire), MA Carberry (Hampshire), MJ Lumb (Hampshire), JWA Taylor (Leicestershire), C Kieswetter (wkt, Somerset), SM Davies (wkt, Surrey), PD Trego (Somerset), JC Tredwell (Kent), AU Rashid (Yorkshire), SI Mahmood (Lancashire), CR Woakes (Warwickshire), ST Finn (Middlesex), SP Kirby (Gloucestershire), DJ Wainwright (Yorkshire).
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Glos declare record Loss
Gloucestershire have announced a deficit of £167,000 after tax for the year ending 30 September 2009 - an unconfirmed record loss.
The news comes as a result of a turbulent cricket season where gate receipts fell and squad costs grew and represents another year of deficit for the club.
The cricket season proved a turbulent one in the midst of a recession and Glos lost out with gate receipts 23% lower than 2008. This despite a Friends Provident quarter-final match and the marketing department's gladiator-themed efforts.
Naturally the recession would have impacted upon ticket sales but the club's disastrous Twenty20 campaign would certainly have turned many a punter away - reflected in very poor crowds for the games against Northamptonshire and Glamorgan, the latter being played on the supposedly popular Sunday slot.
Another interesting budget shortfall was £48,000 on membership. The club declared sales were higher than expected when the news of John Bracewell's return was made permanent so how can that spurt disastrously tail off into lower-than-expected membership sales?
One can forgive excess player expenditure because the money was wisely spent: tying Franklin down for the whole season and signing promising youngsters Gemaal Hussain and Rob Woodman. But another season's loss has seen the playing staff cut to minimal levels - the depth that everyone craves for simply isn't available because of finance and Jon Batty will almost certainly be the only close season acquisition.
With a more spectator friendly fixture list for 2010, the club is hoping to return to surplus, something which Honoury Treasurer Roger Cooke described as "imperative". 2010 will also see the club itself profit from a benefit year.
Chairman John Light has declared the ground redevelopment will not be affected, saying : "Every avenue is being vigorously explored" to fund the £10million scheme. Light suggested residential housing is being considered, the first time that idea has been presented but perhaps a necessary exercise after the initial plans for student accommodation had to be scaled down.
Light also enforced how reliant counties are on ECB handouts by saying the return of cricket to terrestrial television "would be a disaster". Gloucestershire will certainly be hoping the Sky money remains as they seek to turn round the club's financial situation but the future survival of county cricket has to lie away from handouts.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Members consulted over Constitution changes
Gloucestershire CCC is to propose several changes in the club's constitution for the first time since 2004.
Members will be asked to vote on the proposals ahead of January's AGM.
More to follow...
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