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Yorkshire Will Be A Great Challenge - Alex

8 May 2012

Alex Gidman believes the visit of Yorkshire for an LV=County Championship match at Bristol, starting tomorrow, will provide a massive test for his young Gloucestershire side.

The skipper says he can’t wait for the chance to take on an international bowling attack featuring Tim Bresnan, Ryan Sidebottom and Adil Rashid in one of the most attractive home fixtures of the season.

Alex told this website: “Playing in the Second Division of the Championship, it is not often that we have the opportunity to come up against many Test Match bowlers, but Yorkshire are a special case.

“Sidebottom has lots of international experience, Bresnan is a current England bowler and Rashid has played one-day and T20 internationals so together they are part of a formidable unit.

“That makes the game a great challenge for all our players. Facing Yorkshire is always a big test and we should find out a lot about our own potential over the next few days.”

David Payne remains on the sidelines because of a side injury, while James Fuller is also ruled out, having suffered an arm injury in the last Championship fixture at Derby.

Alex himself returns to the four-day team after missing the Derbyshire match with a back problem. Dan Housego is fit again after a shoulder injury, but must wait for a recall.

The captain added: “Suddenly, with Benny Howell having grasped his opportunity through Dan being out and Kane Williamson having joined us we have a lot of competition for the batting places.”

Graeme McCarter, who made his debut in the Clydesdale Bank 40 victory over Middlesex on Monday, has been named in a squad of 13.

The young Irishman impressed by taking three wickets at Lord’s and is in contention for one of the seam bowling places in the team, along with Paul Muchall and David Wade.

Gloucestershire (from) C.Dent, B.Howell, K.Williamson, A.Gidman (capt), H.Marshall, I.Cockbain, W.Gidman, R.Coughtrie (wkt), E.Young, I.Saxelby, G.McCarter, D.Wade, P.Muchall.

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