Derbyshire has named an unchanged 12-man squad for the Specsavers County Championship match against Gloucestershire at The Bristol County Ground on Thursday 11 April; 11am start.
David Houghton has selected an unchanged squad as Derbyshire aim to win back-to-back first-class matches after the county’s 125-run victory over Durham on Monday.
Luis Reece is expected to continue at the top of the order alongside Billy Godleman, although it has been the all-rounder’s bowling performances that have caught the eye.
The 28-year-old took 5-47 in the first innings against Durham to claim his second Derbyshire five-wicket haul after his career-best 7-20 against Gloucestershire in the same fixture last year.
Tom Lace is also set to support the top-order following his maiden first-class half-century for the club against Durham. Lace hit 61 as he combined with Alex Hughes (39) for a vital half-century partnership.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Harvey Hosein is set to bolster the batting line-up after the 22-year-old produced two match-defining knocks to top-score for Derbyshire in both innings.
Logan van Beek impressed on his full debut for the club, taking three wickets in the match whilst he also pulled off a memorable catch to swing momentum in Derbyshire’s favour on the final day.
1. Billy Godleman
10. Luis Reece
77. Wayne Madsen
27. Tom Lace
18. Alex Hughes
16. Harvey Hosein
20. Matt Critchley
65. Anuj Dal
37. Logan van Beek
28. Tony Palladino
14. Ravi Rampaul
59. Sam Conners
Derbyshire travel to face Gloucestershire on Thursday, as the home side get their Specsavers County Championship campaign underway.
Chris Dent will captain Gloucestershire and he is expected to open the batting alongside Miles Hammond. Dent led the county for runs in the County Championship last year with 851, including a century and four half-centuries.
The opening pair are set to be supported by George Hankins and wicketkeeper-batsman Gareth Roderick after both batsmen hit unbeaten centuries in the warm-up match against Oxford MCCU this week.
All-rounders Benny Howell and Ryan Higgins also impressed in the fixture, as both notched half-centuries and took three wickets apiece.
The county lost 2018 leading wicket-taker Craig Miles to Warwickshire this summer, but fast bowler Matt Taylor is set to lead the hosts’ bowling attack.
The 24-year-old also claimed three wickets against Oxford MCCU, whilst he tallied 46 wickets last year at an average of 25.45 with best figures of 5-81.
Gloucestershire squad:Dent (c), Hammond, Bracey, G Hankins, Roderick, J Taylor, Howell, Higgins, van Buuren, M Taylor, H Hankins, Shaw, Drissell.
Billy Godleman has urged his side to take confidence from the victory over Durham as Derbyshire travel to face Gloucestershire in the Specsavers County Championship.
Derbyshire recovered from 0-2 in the first innings to win by 125 runs on day four, and the club captain was pleased with how the team responded after early disappointment.
“We had to work hard for the victory in the end but I think across the four days the bowlers stuck to their plans brilliantly and at vital times in the game with the bat we were able to make some substantial scores and partnerships,” said Godleman.
“It wasn’t an ideal start, but against one of the best bowlers in the division in helpful conditions, it was always going to be difficult for the first couple of hours.
“We know conditions here well and if we can get runs on the board, the wicket at the end of day three and day four will start to go up and down and take spin which fits perfectly with the bowling resources we have.
“It is very important that we take the confidence from how we played this week, and that we are disciplined and prepared to do exactly the same with both bat and ball against Gloucestershire.”
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