News

Norwell included in squad to face Glamorgan

19 April 2018

Last season's leading wicket taker Liam Norwell has been included in a squad of 12 for the first home Championship match of the season against Glamorgan, starting on Friday (11.00).

Norwell missed the victory over Kent as a precaution after injuring a hamstring in pre-season, but bowled 16 overs in the second XI game at Cardiff this week, and has been added to the side that won at Canterbury.

Gloucestershire Squad:

Dent (c), Howell, Roderick, Bracey, J.Taylor, van Buuren, Higgins, Noema-Barnett, Miles, M.Taylor, Worrall, Norwell.

Glamorgan Squad:

Hogan (C), Selman, Murphy, Marsh, Carlson, Donald, Cooke, Lloyd, Salter, Carey, de Lange, van der Gugten.

Pleased by a five wicket win to start the campaign, head coach Richard Dawson is now asking the bowlers to again carefully judge the length they bowl as the batsmen work their way into the summer in challenging conditions.

"The Canterbury pitch seamed around a bit and the ball swung, but the game also reflected how batsmen in both teams hadn't had a lot of match practice" Dawson said. "We weren't cut or pulled very much and that was down to bowling a full length, and in early season conditions that's what we must do again. The last thing I want is for us to get ahead of ourselves after one game."

Gloucestershire went into the Kent match with four all rounders alongside Dan Worrall, Matt Taylor and Craig Miles, and while only Ryan Higgins was used to back up the quicker bowlers, Dawson says that won't influence how the team for Friday is selected because of the unusual way in which the play unfolded.

"Kieran Noema-Barnett batted at number eight and didn't bowl but we only bowled 67 overs in the match. We wanted the all rounders to control the scoreboard and Ryan did that, and more. Ryan, Kieran and Benny Howell all have a zip off the pitch because their wrist positions in delivery are good and they all hit the seam. They are similar but in different conditions they can all have a different impact."

Dawson was relieved that while Norwell was bowling in a competitive match on Wednesday the rest of the squad were able to train in sunny conditions at the Brightside Ground, which were also a blessing to head groundsman Sean Williams as the playing area continues to dry out. It will be Chris Dent's first home fixture as captain, and Dawson acknowledged that the Glamorgan attack, fronted by skipper Michael Hogan, is an experienced unit.

"Hogan, de Lange and ven der Gugten is a strong group" he concluded. "Shaun Marsh is a classy Test batsman and they have some young lads coming through who will try to play around him. You don't get many games like the one last week, and when we have the chance to bat we have to get into a mindset where we put a high price on our wickets."

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. 

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