Gloucestershire under GrahamB (story)

[GrahamB]

Good stuff Graham, must be nice to get all those T20s out of the way!

From what I understand, you are still well in the hunt for promotion? That would be some achievement in your first season! Then bring on the end of season signings
I am looking forward to seeing what you do with the squad.

Cheers. Appreciate your interest.

Yes - still in the FC promotion hunt, which is astonishing really, as the squad isn't overly marvellous.
More good luck than good management I suspect (makes up for the rotten luck in the shorter forms I guess).

The contracts stage is always a big highlight!

[GrahamB]

Wow! The FC match against Sussex finished in a remarkable manner. We came back from the dead to take the win and move into the top three.

The pitch was a road at the start, and Sussex won the toss.
Our bowlers toiled manfully, but success was scarce.
Ben Brown and Michael Burgess tormented our attack on their way to well-deserved centuries, and with the score surpassing 400, any winning chances looked gone. It might be a miracle to hold a draw even.
Ryan Higgins and David Payne were the pick of our bowlers, finishing with four wickets apiece.

In reply, we looked completely lost at 98/7, before Ben Charlesworth got good support from Ryan Higgins and David Payne to get us past 200.
Mir Hamza, Jofra Archer and Oliver Robinson all bowled magnificently.

The follow-on was enforced and we were hoping for a resilient fightback.
Miles Hammond led the way with his fourth century this season, while Ian Cockbain posted a half-century and Ben Charlesworth ended on 49no.
Oliver Robinson was again impressive with the ball.
By achieving 357, we hoped to avoid a loss that could be embarrassing..

However, our bowlers had other ideas!
Dan Worrall and Ryan Higgins ripped out the top order with the new ball, and then when Harry Finch and David Wiese were building a menacing partnership, Graeme van Buuren took over on the sharply turning pitch to humiliate the visitors.

A win for us by 20 runs. Truly remarkable!


Sussex - 430 (M.Burgess-108, B.Brown-104, L.Wells-67, D.Wiese-65, D.Payne-4/100, R.Higgins-4/113)

Gloucestershire - 216 (J.Archer-4/45, O.Robinson-3/44, M.Hamza-3/59)

Gloucestershire (following on) - 357 (M.Hammond-116, I.Cockbain-51, O.Robinson-4/84, M.Hamza-3/93)

Sussex - 123 (G.van Buuren-4/19, D.Worrall-3/48)

Win to Gloucestershire by 20 runs.

[GrahamB]

We're off to second-placed Worcestershire for the next FC match.

Chris Dent comes back into the playing eleven, with Jack Taylor dropping out.


Gloucestershire: M.Hammond, C.Dent, B.Howell, G.Roderick (wk), G.van Buuren, T.Hellawell, I.Cockbain (capt), B.Charlesworth, R.Higgins, D.Payne, D.Worrall.

[DaveRobbo]

Great stuff here Graham, remarkable turnaround against Sussex. Hope you manage to get promotion over the line!

[GrahamB]

Great stuff here Graham, remarkable turnaround against Sussex. Hope you manage to get promotion over the line!

Thanks.

There will be some big decisions to make at contracts time, regardless.

For example, there will be better overseas players available than Dan Worrall, but he has been a key component of our bowling attack and never gets called up for his country.

There are too many players I'd like to get rid of, but won't be able to due to budgetary constrictions and minimum squad size.

I'd also like to invest more in the youth team.

[GrahamB]

Well, lightning doesn't often strike twice!
Against Worcestershire, we were again outplayed and required a similarly miraculous response as in the previous game.
However, this time it was not to be.

We were put in to bat, but managed a decent score.
Miles Hammond fell just short of a fifth century for the season, while Ben Charlesworth and Ryan Higgins both scored half centuries to get us from 187/7 through to just over 300.

Thanks to a last wicket partnership of 98 between Ben Cox and Josh Tongue, Worcestershire gained what would prove to be a decisive first innings lead of close to 100 runs.Tongue only scored 11 of those runs, which illustrates the ferocity which which Cox went about matters.
Earlier, a century from Moeen Ali had laid the basis for the innings, along with fifties from both Daryl Mitchell and Riki Wessels. It didn't help us that Ali was dropped early in his innings.
Ryan Higgins excelled with a five-fer to go with his half century.

Worcester youngster, Patrick Brown, then decimated our second innings effort with some well-directed hostile pace bowling.
Despite a fighting knock from Gareth Roderick, we were reduced to 156/9.
A last wicket partnership of 78 between Ryan Higgins and Dan Worrall saved us from complete embarrassment, but still left the home side with a paltry winning chase. It was Higgin's second 50 of the match.

Early wickets had Worcester reeling at 48/4 and everybody wondered whether another miracle was on the cards, but solid partnerships between Ed Barnard and Wessels, and then between Wessels and Cox steered their side through to the cusp of victory.



Gloucestershire - 305 (M.Hammond-98, R.Higgins-63, B.Charlesworth-52no, E.Barnard-3/71, P.Brown-3/73)

Worcestershire - 398 (M.Ali-130, B.Cox-76no, D.Mitchell-66, R.Wessels-64, R.Higgins-5/85, D.Worrall-3/82)

Gloucestershire - 234 (R.Higgins-58no, G.Roderick-51, P.Brown-5/26)

Worcestershire - 143/7 (G.van Buuren-3/22, R.Higgins-3/29)

Win to Worcestershire by 3 wickets.

[GrahamB]

Our final FC game for the season was a home game against Northamptonshire.

We made two changes to our side for this season-defining match.
James Bracey has demonstrated consistently strong form in the second team to warrant promotion. He replaces Benny Howell.
In a shock selection move, 20 year old spin bowler George Drissell has come in for out of form David Payne.
This means that we're placing much more emphasis on spin than usual.


Gloucestershire: M.Hammond, C.Dent, G.Roderick (wk), G.van Buuren, J.Bracey, T.Hellawell, I.Cockbain (capt), B.Charlesworth, R.Higgins, G.Drissell, D.Worrall.

[GrahamB]

Not much luck with the toss lately. We were asked to bowl first.

Most of the Northamptonshire top order made good contributions, with Adam Rossington and Alex Wakely standing out.
Ryan Higgins and Dan Worrall picked up three wickets each, while our two spinners took two each.

Unfortunately, we now had to bat at the worst time in the match weather-wise, as the cloud cover rolled on in.
Miles Hammond and Chris Dent got us off to a safe start, but once the opening stand was broken, wickets fell regularly and we fell just short of 200.
Ben Sanderson and Blessing Muzarabani were very awkward to handle and finished with four wickets apiece.

Of course we were hoping to bowl Northamptonshire out cheaply and give ourselves a reasonable target to chase.
We were thwardted by Temba Bavuma, who scored a classy century and anchored the innings.
The home side eventually declared at 269/7, giving us 400 runs to score in just over three sessions if we wanted the win.

We started off with the intention of giving the chase a good shot.
Miles Hammond (with his fifth FC century this season) and Chris Dent got us off to the perfect start.
Once they were gone, Graeme van Buuren took over the mantle of steering us on.
However, once the news came through midway through Day 4 that Sussex had completed a comprehensive victory over Worcestershire, our promotion hopes were gone regardless of the result, so once we were five wickets down, we played out the draw, finishing on 326/5.


Northamptonshire - 326 (A.Rossington-88, A.Wakely-67, R.Higgins-3/58, D.Worrall-3/86)

Gloucestershire - 196 (B.Muzarabani-4/47, B.Sanderson-4/50)

Northamptonshire - 269/7 declated (T.Bavuma-134)

Gloucestershire - 326/5 (M.Hammond-105, G.van Buuren-85no, C.Dent-79, B.Muzarabani-3/71)

Match drawn.

[GrahamB]

2019 Gloucestershire FC Stats

Top Batting Averages

Ben Charlesworth - 295 runs at 73.75
Ian Cockbain - 930 runs at 54.71
Miles Hammond - 1184 runs at 47.36
Ryan Higgins - 646 runs at 40.38
Tom Hellawell - 852 runs at 35.50
Graeme van Buuren - 582 runs at 30.63


Top Bowling Averages

Ryan Higgins - 68 wickets at 22.50
Dan Worrall - 69 wickets at 23.30
David Payne - 36 wickets at 32.83

[GrahamB]

GLOUCESTERSHIRE SQUAD 2020

At the end of the 2019 season, two of our squad members retired - spin bowler Tom Smith and pace bowler C.Liddle.

Contract extensions were agreed for batsmen Miles Hammond and Ian Cockbain, as well as for pace bowler David Payne.

We decided not to extend the contracts of all-rounder Jack Taylor, overseas pace bowler Dan Worrall and spin bowler George Drissell.
Taylor hadn't performed well enough for us, Drissell wasn't considered good enough, while South African all-rounder Ferisco Adams was the preferred overseas signing. His bowling should match Worrall's, but he adds extra batting to the lower order as well.

We terminated the contracts of batsman George Hankins and pace bowler Harry Hankins, as neither were considered good enough to persevere with.

New signings were rising young star, batsman Anthony Hunt, South African all-rounder Ferisco Adams (reserve overseas player is Indian all-rounder Abrar Kazi), proven pace bowler Oliver Robinson, plus two spin bowlers - Mark Watt and Nathan Sowter.

Unfortunately, strengthening our squad meant no extra funds to invest in the youth team.
However, we have the maximum amount invested in coaching and medium amount invested in physio.


Miles Hammond (opening batsman)
Chris Dent (opening batsman)
Ben Howell (opening batsman and pace bowler)
Gareth Roderick (opening batsman and wicketkeeper
Anthony Hunt (batsman)
Tom Hellawell (batsman and part-time pace)
Ian Cockbain (batsman)
Ben Charlesworth (batsman and part-time spin)
James Bracey (batsman and wicketkeeper)
Graeme van Buuren (genuine all-rounder spin)
Ryan Higgins (genuine all-rounder pace)
Ferisco Adams (bowling all-rounder pace)
Oliver Robinson (pace bowler)
David Payne (pace bowler)
Matt Taylor (pace bowler)
Stu Whittingham (pace bowler)
Mark Watt (spin bowler)
Nathan Sowter (spin bowler)

[GrahamB]

Looks like we missed the Worcestershire game Graham but not to worry. A lot of encouraging signs in the opening season. Nice to have a solid nucleus of established players in the opening season.

My post was pending approval. It's there now.

[GrahamB]

FC Match 1 (away to Northamptonshire)

Overcast conditions expected throughout most of Day 1, so we''l take the option of bowling first.

Our playing eleven is:

M.Hammond
C.Dent
I.Cockbain (captain and new to number 3 spot)
G.van Buuren
T.Hellawell
A.Hunt
G.Roderick (wk and batting lower down the order)
F.Adams
R.Higgins
M.Watt
O.Robinson

Northamptonshire:

R.Newton
L.Procter
K.Coetzer
A.Rossington
R.Levi
J.Cobb
K.Ewing
V.Philander
B.Hutton
B.Muzarabani
B.Sanderson

[GrahamB]

After a 50 run opening stand, Northamptonshire slumped to 88/4, and our decision to bowl first looked good.
Then Richard Levi and Josh Cobb came together to put on 127 for the fifth wicket in scintillating fashion.
At 215/5, it was fairly even, but Cobb continued his aggressive approach, and when he was finally dismissed for 130, the home side was 331/8 and could be well pleased under the circumstances.
All out for 363, with Ferisco Adams taking 7/79 in his first outing for us.

When it was our turn to bat, you wouldn't have believed that it was the same pitch!
Although the Northamptonshire pace quartet of Vernon Philander, Blessing Muzarabani, Ben Sanderson and Brett Hutton is a fearsome one, nobody expected then to rout us for a total of 118 all out. Our lowest score under my watch.
Muzarabani and Sanderson picked up the most wickets, but all four bowlers were superb.

Forced to follow on, we had a huge point to prove. Would we show that incredible fighting spirit that was so apparent last season, or would we again be blown away?
Chris Dent fell at 31/1, but then every other batsman in the top six went past 50!
Tom Hellawell was cruelly denied his maiden first class century, dismissed for 93, but new lad Anthony Hunt was able to reach his on his debut for us.
After a magnificent team effort, we were able to declare at 536/7, leaving our hosts a victory target of 281 in just over two sessions.

The pitch was now taking sharp turn, so it would be a chance for our spin duo of Graeme van Buuren and Mark Watt to show their mettle.
Despite the seven wicket haul from Ferisco Adams in the first innings, it made sense to get the spinners on once the new ball had lost its shine.
At 94/5, victory was looking certain, but Richard Levi and youngster took the score through to 162 before the sixth wicket fell and the home fan still had hopes of survival.
However, when Levi was caught behind off Watt for a fighting 66, it was 190/9 and the last pair were at the crease.
It wasn't long before the final wicket fell and Northamptonshire were al out for 217. Victory was ours!
Our spinners had done their job, van Buuren finishing with four wickets and Watt with three.


Northamptonshire - 363 (J.Cobb-130, R.Levi-77, F.Adams-7/97)

Gloucestershire - 118 (B.Muzarabani-4/28, B.Sanderson-3/32)

Gloucestershire (following on) - 536/7 declared (A.Hunt-105no, T.Hellawell-93, I.Cockbain-76. M.Hammond-61, G.van Buuren-56)

Northamptonshire - 217 (R.Levi-66, G.van Buuren-4/44, M.Watt-3/87)

Win to Gloucestershire by 74 runs.

[GrahamB]

FC Match 2 (away at Kent)

Looks like we'll choose to bowl first again, but no need for two spinners this time, so Mark Watt makes way for David Payne.

Gloucestershire

M.Hammond
C.Dent
I.Cockbain (capt)
G.van Buuren
T.Hellawell
A.Hunt
G.Roderick (wk)
F.Adams
R.Higgins
O.Robinson
D.Payne

Kent

M.Renshaw
H.Kuhn
D.Bell-Drummond
Z.Crawley
J.Taylor
A.Rouse
G.Stewart
A.Blake
C.Haggett
H.Podmore
B.McCarthy

[DaveRobbo]

Another spectacular turnaround in the first game there! You seem to be loving winning games from the brink of defeat. Although for the next game, considering where my allegiances lie I'm not sure which team to cheer for!