Jon Looks Forward To Cheltenham Challenge
27/07/2010
Jon Lewis believes Gloucestershire will arrive at the most important Cheltenham Festival in years fresh and well prepared for four games that could make or break their season.
The experienced pace bowler is delighted that the opening match against Yorkshire in the Clydesdale Bank 40 competition comes after a week without fixtures.
He and his fellow bowlers have been using the time to get in some gym work as well as some much-needed rest.
Jon said: “It has been a really punishing season physically with the amount of games and travelling involved.
“We have a small squad so we are affected more than the bigger clubs and the schedule was starting to take its toll.
“Cheltenham is coming at a crucial time in our calendar because if we play well there we will still be challenging in two competitions and the end of the season will be very exciting.
“Our aim is to get there in peak condition, both physically and mentally, and the break from matches has given us the opportunity to prepare properly.
“The bowlers have been working on strength and conditioning to make sure our fitness lasts out until the end of the season.
“Cheltenham will almost certainly define the remainder of our season and there is still so much to play for.”
Gloucestershire’s last game was the one-run Clydesdale Bank 40 win over Derbyshire decided by the Duckworth-Lewis system.
That result means the Group B clash with Yorkshire at the College Ground is a top-of-the-table fixture, which could prove vital to both teams’ hopes of reaching the semi-finals.
Gloucestershire are also going for promotion in the LV=County Championship and face huge games against Glamorgan and Worcestershire before the Festival concludes with another 40-over game against Middlesex.
