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Newcomer Howell To Face Kent

18 April 2012

Former Hampshire batsman Benny Howell will be a new name in Gloucestershire's team for the LV County Championship clash with Kent at Canterbury, starting on Thursday.

The 23-year-old has been registered by the club to play in the fixture as replacement for Dan Housego, who has been sidelined by a shoulder problem.

Howell has been playing for Gloucestershire second XI this season and hit a double century for them against Surrey IIs yesterday. He was released by Hampshire at the end of last season.

Skipper Alex Gidman told this website: "Benny had done everything right since joining us and clearly had a lot of ability. He was unfortunate to be released by Hampshire and has responded to that decision very positively.

"It's a shame that Dan has suffered an injury so early in the seaon. I am not sure of the exact extent of it, but I am told he will be out for at least a week.

"That gives Benny his opportunity to bat at three for us in what is sure to be a very tough game. We beat Kent twice last season, but they have made a lot of changes and have some experienced new players."

"We can take a lot of confidence from our win against Hampshire, but will need to give 100 per cent again to build on it."

Howell was born in France. He made his Hampshire Second XI debut in 2005 and played one Championship match last season, scoring 71 against Lancashire at Southampton.

Benny has also played CB40 cricket for Hampshire, scoring 122 against Surrey at Croydon last season, and has a top score of 29 not out in the Twenty20 competition.

Gloucestershire team from: Dent, Coughtrie, Howell, A. Gidman, Marshall, W. Gidman, Cockbain, Young, Muchall, Fuller, Saxelby, Payne.

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