South Africans Will Test Our Potential - Alex
17 August 2012
Alex Gidman believes the one-day match against the South Africans at Bristol next Wednesday will offer the perfect chance to gauge the potential of Gloucestershire’s young team.
The skipper is genuinely excited about taking on the tourists, for whom the game will be preparation for the start of a five-match one day series against England, starting at the Swalec Stadium on Friday.
Alex said: “Playing the South Africans will enable us to gauge how far we have come in the past couple of seasons and how far we still have to go to fulfil our potential and contest domestic trophies.
“Our one-day skills have improved a good deal as results have shown this summer. Now we need to keep climbing the ladder and setting higher standards.
“I would like to think that we are already capable of giving them a really good game. Of course, they will start hot favourites, but we have absolutely nothing to lose.
“South Africa have looked incredibly strong against England, but we have no reason to fear them. It’s a long time since Gloucestershire had the opportunity to beat a touring side at the County Ground and it’s a hugely exciting challenge.
“Some of our best displays this season have come in Clydesdale Bank 40 cricket, so I’m hopeful we can take that form into a 50-over game.
“Matches like this are also extremely important to the club from a financial point of view and I’m sure our supporters will turn out in big numbers.”
With the start of their one-day series against England only two days later, South Africa are sure to field a strong side at Bristol.
Alex added: “With stars like Dale Steyn, Jacques Kallis, Morne Morkel and the rest on view, it promises to be a great watching experience for spectators.
“Perhaps we can do England a favour by hampering South Africa’s preparations.”
