News

Payne Fit To Face Hampshire

11 April 2012

David Payne is set to bolster Gloucestershire's bowling attack for the second LV County Championship match of the season against Hampshire at Southampton, starting on Thursday.

The left-arm seamer missed the opening fixture against Essex because of a knee problem, but has now returned to full fitness.

Gloucestershire will select from 12 after assessing the pitch, but Payne looks certain to make his first appearance of the season.

Skipper Alex Gidman told this website: "It is nice to have the variation David provides by being a left-arm bowler so I would expect him to play."

Alex admits his team will need to step up on their performance against Essex, which ended in an innings defeat.

He added: "We need to put some longer partnerships together with the bat and not bowl as many four balls.

"The Essex game was a reality check. We always knew the first three games of the season woul be particularly tough because they are all on the road.

"But if we can improve in a couple of key areas we will give ourselves a chance."

Gloucestershire (from) R.Coughtrie (wkt), C.Dent, D.Housego, H.Marshall, A.Gidman (capt), I.Cockbain, W.Gidman, E.Young, J.Fuller, I.Saxelby, D.Payne, P.Muchall.

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