Whatever the outcome of what is proving a testing season for Gloucestershire, there is no questioning the team spirit under Performance Director Steve Snell and head coach Dale Benkenstein.
I was at Bristol a week ago today when their side dominated three quarters of the Vitality Blast derby against Somerset only to see the rain-reduced game cruelly snatched away from them by an extraordinary late blitz from Roelof van der Merwe.
The South African’s 48 off just 15 balls, including 4 sixes and 4 fours, broke Gloucestershire hearts and there were stunned looks on the faces of players and supporters at the end.
Just 24 hours later it seemed the hangover was still evident when, having travelled to Hove with plenty of time to think about the previous evening’s events, Jack Taylor’s men could post only 145 for six against Sussex. The Sharks coasted to 118 for two in reply off less than 14 overs and needed only 28 to win from 39 balls with eight wickets in hand.
At that stage, most opponents, particularly ones on the back of a demoralising defeat to their arch-rivals, could have been forgiven for wanting to be back on the team bus. Instead, Gloucestershire staged a fightback even more remarkable than Somerset’s against them, Tom Smith, Zak Chappell, Glenn Phillips, Benny Howell and David Payne sharing the wickets in an unbelievable four-run victory.
Sussex captain Ravi Bopara was moved to say afterwards that it was the poorest batting he had witnessed in over 400 T20 appearances. But it was another example of Gloucestershire’s ability to squeeze teams with tight bowling backed up by quality fielding and most of all a triumph for a never-say-die attitude.
Somerset will need to be wary of that when the teams clash in the return Vitality Blast South Group fixture at Taunton on Friday night (6.30pm start).
Facing a Gloucestershire team without Payne, away on England duty, on their own ground, the hosts will be warm favourites. But they will also be without key bowlers in Craig Overton and Josh Davey, both concussed in the County Championship game with Surrey this week, and in opposition will be a team hungry for quick revenge.
I just hope the evening is free of the crowd trouble that has been creeping into T20 cricket. Already this season, 15 people have been ejected from the group games at Taunton.
It is a trend that needs to be nipped in the bud, maybe by restriction on alcohol sales or more stringent stewarding, if the shortest format of our national summer sport is to remain family friendly.
