Skipper looking to put the pressure on
30 May 2012
Gloucestershire captain Alex Gidman believes one more big partnership will put Derbyshire under immense pressure on the second day of the LV= County Championship match at Bristol.
Having dismissed the runaway Division Two leaders for 95 on what is essentially a true wicket, Gloucestershire made good their advantage, reaching 182-5 at stumps to establish a useful lead of 87.
Half-centuries from Gidman (72 not out) and Kane Williamson (56) put the home side on top and the skipper, sensing an opportunity to inflict Derbyshire’s first defeat of the season, is urging his team-mates to turn the screw tomorrow.
He told this website: “We are in a very good position after day one, but there is still a lot of hard work to be done.
“I have been in this position far too often before to make any predictions, but we must be looking to push on and establish a meaningful lead that will put Derbyshire under pressure.
“One more big partnership will do it and that is what we must aim for on the second day.”
Although Gloucestershire’s seam attack bowled well enough, Gidman admitted Derbyshire’s batsmen contributed to their own downfall by playing some loose shots.
He said: “It is basically a good wicket and the ball did not do a lot. But Derbyshire are top of the league and are confident, and perhaps attacked a bit too hard and played too many shots.
“Saying that, I was pleased with the way the guys bowled. They put the ball one side of the wicket, hit the right areas more often than not and were patient when they had to be.
“If you had offered us this position before the start of the game, I would definitely have taken it.”
For more details on today's play at Bristol click on Cricket then Match reports.
