Alex Issues Apology To Supporters After Defeat
01/09/2010
Alex Gidman admitted he was in a state of shock after Gloucestershire were bowled out for 70 by Derbyshire at Bristol to lose an amazing LV=County Championship match by 54 runs.
The home side somehow contrived to be beaten having bowled out the visitors for 44 in their first innings. Abject batting chasing a mere 125 to win was to blame as Derbyshire completed one of the most astonishing comebacks in Championship history.
They had been dismissed for 236 in their second innings, Chesney Hughes making 96 not out and Anthony Ireland taking 4-59. At that point only one result seemed possible, but a series of loose shots saw Gloucestershire fall well short of their target.
Skipper Gidman was clearly stunned and offered no excuses. He told this website: "We have blown our promotion hopes and I can only apologise to our supporters, who have every right to feel let down.
"It's fair to criticise the manner of the defeat and the shots that were played. I am as guilty as the next batsman and we are all as frustrated as one another.
"When we don't apply ourselves in the right way with the bat it's like a ticking time bomb and it has happened far too often this season.
"We didn't think our way through our innings or learn from earlier in the match. The right things were said in the dressing room, but not done and again that has been the story of our season.
"Hamish Marshall played well in both innings and talked very sensibly about how to play in the conditions. Unfortunately, it wasn't taken on board.
"There are no hiding places and no excuses. All we can do is apologise to our supporters because we have let them and ourselves down.
"We are still in with a chance in the Clydesdale Bank 40, but I don't know how we will lift ourselves from this because I have never been in this situation.
"The best response would be to take out our frustration in that competition and do everything possible to reach the semi-finals."
Asked whether the batting collapse signalled a need to change personnel for next season, Alex said: "Possibly. But it is an emotional time at the moment and I would rather not comment too much on that.
"We have certainly made the same mistakes too many times and we have to address that. But it's something for later on in the year."
For a report of the second day against Derbyshire click here.
View video highlights of this LV= match by clicking here.
Listen to a podcast of this day's play or live ball by commentary of any GCCC LV= match by clicking here.
