Alex Gidman is a functional middle-order batsman that briefly flirted with higher honours. After establishing himself in the Gloucestershire four-day team in 2003 he was picked as captain for the England A tour of Malaysia and India that winter. A hand injury forced him to withdraw. He did make the tour to Sri Lanka the following winter but failed to make any impression and since his future has been confined to county cricket.

His first-class début came in 2002 where he made 67 at Derby; a maiden hundred followed against Northamptonshire at Bristol. The following year he earned a regular place in the side and scored the winning runs in Gloucestershire's C&G Trophy victory.

From 2005 he passed 1,000 runs in a season four times in five years. His batting ability and useful medium-pace bowling attracted interest from other counties and a move to Warwickshire was widely expected until Jon Lewis resigned the Gloucestershire captaincy and Gidman was offered the job from 2009.

Since then he has presided over several promotion challenges but is faced with guiding a very young team and improving his own form - he suffered leaner years in 2010 and 2011.
ESPNcricinfo staff