Gidman's vow to Gloucestershire fans
Source -
epost.co.uk
Alex Gidman will demand a positive response from Gloucestershire's shell-shocked cricketers when they launch their bid for Twenty20 Cup glory against Glamorgan at Sophia Gardens.
Still shaken by the manner of the crushing defeat to arch-rivals Somerset on Sunday, the Glo'sters head for Cardiff in chastened mood.
They were beaten by an innings and 151 runs in an embarrassingly one-sided County Championship match in Bristol, and Gidman and Co will be determined to put the record straight.
Gloucestershire's stand-in captain admitted: "Losing in the way we did hurt us. The fact it was against our local rivals made it even worse.
"I felt sorry for our supporters, it was hard for them to take.
"We owe them a performance and the best way to get that defeat out of our systems will be to play well against Glamorgan."
The arrival of Twenty20 is perfectly timed for a Gloucestershire squad that has been hit hard by injury in recent weeks.
Gidman said: "I'm not using it as an excuse for what went wrong against Somerset, but we've been without some of our biggest players.
"Other guys have had to step up and there's been little opportunity for anyone to get a decent rest.
"It's good to be taking a break from Championship cricket and the boys are all looking forward to Twenty20.
"Everyone enjoys playing this format and we think we have the players to do well.
"We've had a chat about what went wrong in the last game and we're very eager to put things right in Cardiff.
"I want the boys to go out there and produce a real show of strength."
Gloucestershire may be helped by the return of opening batsman Craig Spearman.
Spearman will undergo a fitness test at the County Ground today after six weeks out with a broken foot.
But seam bowler Steve Kirby is still ruled out with shin splints.
T20, Twenty20 and Twenty20 Cup are registered trade marks of the England and Wales Cricket Board Limited (the “ECB”).
Products and services on this website are not offered in connection with, or with the endorsement of the ECB
