Consistency key for Dent after winning start
19 May 2018
Gloucestershire skipper Chris Dent says it is important that the team back up Friday's victory over Glamorgan in their first home game in this season's Royal London Cup against Essex at the Brightside Ground on Sunday (11.00).
On a ground where he made his career best List A score, Dent contributed 80 - his highest innings of the summer - at Sophia Gardens as Gloucestershire successfully chased 265 with ten balls to spare.
"It was nice to get a few runs although to be honest I'd felt reasonably good before that" reflected Dent. "As a group I thought the practice games had gone pretty well and I didn't believe the switch between red ball and white ball cricket would be too tough for us. The aim now is to win games back to back because we were a bit up and down in the tournament last year and we want to see the batsmen getting runs and the bowlers taking wickets consistently."
Benny Howell was probably more heavily involved than anyone on the day. He took two catches, grabbed a wicket in the last of his ten overs and then, batting at number three, came in and played with a freedom Dent felt was ideal for the situation.
"You don't want to be playing catch-up, you'd rather get a good start and then be able to settle in" Dent added. "It's good to have someone like Benny at the top of the order because he plays with a different tempo."
Head coach Richard Dawson will confirm his squad later but it would seem harsh to leave anyone out based on the convincing nature of Friday's result. Essex also began their campaign with a successful run chase, in their case against Middlesex at Lord's with Tom Westley making 134 and Dent recognises that under Ryan ten Doeschate they represent strong and talented opposition.
"Essex have plenty of all rounders, so they bat deep and can go hard from the start" he said. "They're a good white ball side, so it'll be nice to face them at home and try to use our knowledge of the Brightside Ground to be one step ahead."
Coverage:
You can follow the match via the live scorecard available on the website, or via Twitter @GlosCricket. Ball by ball commentary is also available on the BBC Sport website
