LVCC Preview: Derbyshire v Gloucestershire

LVCC Preview: Derbyshire v Gloucestershire

Gloucestershire looking to avenge April defeat; weather may ultimately be the winner

After a successful T20 Friday night for Derbyshire, the Falcons continue on home soil as they welcome Gloucestershire for a four-day outing. Unfortunately, the weather forecast is not good so we may not see a result.

This is the second meeting of these two sides in the LVCC this season, with Derbyshire coming out on top in April. Gloucestershire sit just a whisker above their hosts in the Division Two table and will want the weather to behave itself so they have a chance of redeeming themselves.

Derbyshire’s victory at Bristol rested largely on the shoulders of Martin Guptill’s double century, but he is away trying to give England the same treatment at Headingley. Sri Lankan international Tillakaratne Dilshan replaces him, however.

Mark Footitt put in a fair contribution last time as well, with nine wickets across the two innings, and he is available this week. Having been rested for the victory against Lancashire on Friday night, he should be fresh and hungry to go.

Gareth Roderick and Hamish Marshall put up a fair fight against the Falcons, but were no match for Derbyshire’s bowlers. Changes have been made this time around, not least with the return of Michael Klinger. It’ll be the Australian’s first championship match of the year and he brings with him a lot of experience and the memory of a good Sheffield Shield season down under.

The two sides look evenly matched and, if the weather behaves, it could be an interesting meeting. Here’s hoping the forecast is wrong.

 

Key Men

Billy Godleman stands in as replacement captain once again, but for the first time on home soil. He made 75 in the first innings against Lancashire last week and will be hoping to carry on that good form in from of a home crowd.

A long time favourite of Gloucestershire, the highly experienced Michael Klinger will be a welcome sight. Klinger’s last visit to Derby ended with him going to hospital after he faced a zinger from Mark Footitt that broke his arm. He declared his intentions in the T20 quite strikingly against Essex last week and will no doubt be hoping to carry that on into the championship.

 

Team News

Derbyshire are still without Wayne Madsen, who has a broken finger, so Billy Godleman steps in as captain again. Hashim Amla is replaced by Tillakaratne Dilshan, who makes his four day debut for the side. David Wainwright is rested while Mark Footitt, who sat out the home T20 clash on Friday, returns. Alex Hughes and Jonathan Clare are also injured.

Derbyshire squad: Billy Godleman (c), Harvey Hosein (wk), Ben Slater, Chesney Hughes, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Scott Elstone, Shiv Thakor, Matt Critchley, Tony Palladino, Tom Taylor, Ben Cotton, Mark Footitt

Gloucestershire see the return of Michael Klinger to their side, replacing Peter Handscomb. Jack Taylor and Benny Howell have been impressive in the T20 thus far, so they get their chance in this week in the four day game. Will Tavare returns from injury and Ian Cockbain makes way for him.

Gloucestershire squad: Geraint Jones (c), Gareth Roderick (wk), Chris Dent, Will Tavare, Michael Klinger, Hamish Marshall, Benny Howell, Jack Taylor, David Payne, Matt Taylor, Liam Norwell, Craig Miles

 

Form

Derbyshire: LDDWL

Gloucestershire: LWWLD

Weather and conditions

The forecast suggests it will be cold with rain on and off all week. It could be a long, tedious affair that ends in a draw.

Date: 31st May -3rd June 2015

Time: 11.00am

Ground: The 3aaa County Ground at Derby

Umpires: Steve Garratt & Tim Robinson

Odds (SkyBet): Derbyshire 5/6, Gloucestershire 5/6

NO COMMENTS

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.