As one of the most unlikely options to be title winners in English domestic cricket in 2024, Gloucestershire’s T20 Blast win against the old cider enemy Somerset, glazed over what was a sub-par season for the west country county.
Finishing seventh in Division Two of the County Championship in 2024, would have been the last thing captain Graeme van Buuren wanted and so, for 2025, the reigns are handed over to the overseas Cameron Bancroft to attempt to begin the rejuvenation. Some misfortune is perhaps to blame for the poor table position, with a ground that suffers with slower drainage than others, meaning less time spent on the field is common. Things were worsened by an abandoned match due to an unfit pitch and a tied match with Glamorgan when unable to defend 592 in a final-ball thriller.
Gloucestershire are the only team in the Championship this season where it feels as though fans know what they are going to get. A nearly unchanged squad, with the exception of Zafar Gohar who has headed to divisional rivals Middlesex, being replaced by Cameron Green for April and May.
As for individuals, a combination of unfortunate circumstances in the form of injury combined with lack of depth was costly in the two-win season last summer. A top wicket-taker in Marchant de Lange played just six matches for his 30 wickets, while promising speedster Ajeet Singh Dale’s 23 came at over 46 runs apiece.
Reliable seam assets, Tom Price and Matt Taylor spent most of their time sidelined and while youthful prospects Ed Middleton and Dom Goodman had a reasonable account, it did not quite live up to the quality required.
With the bat, Gloucestershire did not do themselves any disservice. England international James Bracey knocked up over 1000 runs and notably, top-order batter Ben Charlesworth finally broke his century-less streak with two tons, including a double. Club stalwarts Miles Hammond and former captain van Buuren along with the newly named captain Bancroft, also notched up respectable seasons with bat in hand.
Under Mark Alleyne once again, Gloucestershire will be determined to put right their poor red-ball form from last season, but without Gohar the obvious concern is who will step up to be the number one spin option?
Key player
As previously mentioned, Gloucestershire have some stalwarts they forever look to in times of crisis to bail them out. However, for multiple reasons this season, there is one individual who will be the centre of attention if performances are not up to scratch. Newly-appointed captain Cameron Bancroft is not the innocent 25-year-old international he once was when in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. What this 32-year-old Bancroft is however, is an established international with plenty of County Championship experience to go with it. As the marquee overseas, he will be responsible for the head of the runs, leading from the front.
One to watch
Although already an established and key member of the Gloucestershire squad, the one to watch is Oliver Price again this year. He had an underwhelming red-ball season with the bat, amassing just 616 runs despite playing a full 13-match season (if you discount the no-result abandonment). An average of just 30 with the bat and 62 with the ball will need to be improved on in order to establish his all-rounder status and without Gohar, Ollie Price could potentially be the go-to spin option, after a lot of time spent in England Lions training camps. If not Price, both Ed Middleton and van Buuren’s roles with the ball will be keenly observed.
Ins and Outs
Overseas players: Cameron Bancroft (Australia), Cameron Green (April 18-May 26).
Ins: none.
Outs: Zafar Gohar (Middlesex).
How will they fare
On the back of last year’s faults in red-ball cricket it will be difficult to see them come back from a seventh-placed finish with no reinforcements brought in and the loss of a big contributor to the team in Gohar. The alternative to Green as the second overseas for the second half of the season could be key.
At present, it seems difficult to see how Gloucestershire’s depth will step-up if injuries hamper them again and how Tom Price and de Lange will react to missing the majority of 2024. With a Blast title behind them and relegation from Division One just a season before, it feels only fair to accept that this near-unchanged squad has quality and they will be disappointed to finish below fourth in Division Two this season.
Opening fixture: CC v Derbyshire on April 4 at The County Ground, Derby
Likely opening Championship XI
- Bancroft
- B. Charlesworth
- O. Price
- Hammond
- Bracey
- Van Buuren
- T. Price
- Akhter
- Goodman
- De Lange
- Singh Dale
