Top-order revival has been the key
Source -
epost.co.uk
Mark Alleyne has highlighted the revival in Gloucestershire's top-order batting in explaining the county's current momentum in the Twenty20 Cup.
And the head coach believes his resurgent team is now demonstrating the form required to secure a place in the quarter-finals later this month.
So successfully have Glo'sters recovered from defeat in their Midland, Wales and West opener against Somerset at Taunton, that they have since won three matches to join Glamorgan at the group summit.
Outright leadership beckons if Alleyne's charges can repeat last week's success against Worcestershire at New Road later today (5.30).
Gloucestershire's resurgence owes a good deal to improved performance with the bat and steady partnerships have proved a recurring theme in victories over Worcestershire, Warwickshire and Glamorgan.
"I've been especially pleased with the contributions made by the top-six," said Alleyne.
"That was an area of weakness in 2005 and the guys have worked hard to put things right.
"We are still a little bit untidy in certain areas, but I think our batting has been pretty clinical. Ian Harvey and Craig Spearman gave us a great start against Glamorgan (at Bristol on Tuesday) and Chris Taylor and Alex Gidman finished things off in style.
"Even David Brown, coming in at six, has contributed well, and all of the guys in the top six have shown themselves capable of making a 40 or 50, and getting us to a good score."
Alleyne believes victory in remaining home games against Somerset tomorrow and Northants next Tuesday will guarantee Gloucestershire a place among the last eight.
"We've played some really good cricket at home and the key is to keep winning in Bristol," confided Alleyne.
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