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Alex Leads From Front In CB40 Victory

17 July 2012

Alex Gidman was a happy skipper after Gloucestershire moved into second place in Group A of the Clydesdale Bank 40 with a four-wicket win over Worcestershire at Cheltenham.

The hosts reached a modest target of 145 to win with a massive 12.5 overs to spare, but had been under pressure at 81-5 when Ed Young (28) joined Alex in a crucial sixth-wicket stand of 47.

That only made victory sweeter for the captain, who had a fine all-round game, taking three for 20 from his eight overs and then scoring an unbeaten 33.

Alex told this website: "I'm really pleased we came out on top in a tight game because we have tended to win easily or lose heavily in this competition.

"The pitch wasn't as we expected and it was a surprise when Moeen Ali started turning the ball. Ed Young played really positively to help turn things back our way and I had no problem with him attacking because we have faith in our players to play their natural game.

"Lads like Ed and James Fuller work hard on their batting and their shot selection is based on that work. I'm very happy with the progress we are making as a team.

"We are bang in the CB40 and if we can stay consistent over our remaining group games we have a great chance of reaching the semi-finals.

"There is another big game against Middlesex at Cheltenham on Sunday and then we face the Netherlands after our T20 quarter-final against Sussex so there is a lot to look forward to."

Worcestershire were restricted to 144-7 from their 40 overs in front of an estimated 3,000 crowd at the College Ground, who were blessed with some overdue fine weather.

Liam Norwell, making his List A debut, claimed 2-21 from six overs, while Ian Saxelby took 2-25 from seven.

Alex always intended to bowl himself, but had planned to share eight overs with Benny Howell. "The slow pitch suited me so I just kept going," said the skipper after bowling his eight overs unchanged from the Chapel End.

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