One Day Cup Preview | Gloucestershire v Northants Steelbacks
3 August 2023
The final game of the 2023 Cheltenham Cricket Festival comes this Friday with Northants Steelbacks the visitors in Gloucestershire’s second Metro Bank One Day Cup fixture.
Fresh from a six-wicket win over Derbyshire in their first match of the competition on Tuesday, Gloucestershire go into the game full of confidence while Northants are yet to feature in the competition.
Team news
Dale Benkenstein selects sixteen players for the final Festival match of 2023, with Dom Goodman, Tom Price and Graeme van Buuren all returning to fitness in time to make the squad.
New signing Anwar Ali goes straight into the group after landing in the country on Thursday and replaces Harry Tector as the Club’s second overseas option after Zafar Gohar.
Ben Charlesworth (knee) misses out pending further investigation.
Your 16-player Gloucestershire squad to face Northants Steelbacks:
Zaman Akhter, Anwar Ali, James Bracey, Chris Dent, Zafar Gohar, Dom Goodman, Joe Phillips, Ollie Price, Tom Price, Ajeet Singh Dale, Josh Shaw, Tom Smith, Jack Taylor, Graeme van Buuren, Paul van Meekeren, Ben Wells.
Last time out
Gloucestershire thumped Derbyshire at Cheltenham College on Tuesday, chasing 299 in just 43.2 overs to win by six wickets.
Ollie Price’s maiden List A century steered Gloucestershire to victory in sublime fashion. The 22-year-old was ably supported by Ireland international Harry Tector and 2022’s leading run scorer Jack Taylor.
The bowling unit had done well initially to keep Derbyshire under 300 on a good pitch in Cheltenham. Four wickets for Paul van Meekeren ensured he continued his fine Festival form.
Our opponents
Northants Steelbacks are yet to begin to 50-over campaign but have added Indian batter Prithvi Shaw to their ranks ahead of their opener on Friday.
Lewis McManus has been selected as the Steelbacks’ captain for the competition and leads a squad that boasts the experience of Gareth Berg, Josh Cobb and Emilio Gay.
Last meeting
Glos last faced Northants in the 50-over format during the group stages of their tournament-winning campaign of 2015 at the County Ground, Northampton.
The Shire won five of their eight group stage matches that season, the defeat to Northants just one of two in the tournament.
Chris Dent and Jack Taylor are the only possible survivors from the side that featured in 2015, with David Payne and Miles Hammond playing in The Hundred.
How to watch
Gloucestershire face Northants Steelbacks in the Metro Bank One Day Cup beginning on Friday 4 August at Cheltenham College, Cheltenham.
The game can be watched live in the Glos Cricket Match Centre. Coverage begins at 10:40.