County Prospects: Gloucestershire (13 April 1999)

13 April 1999

County Prospects: Gloucestershire

David Green

Though the acrimonious departure of Courtney Walsh has cast something of a shadow over the club, Gloucestershire are approaching the new season with considerable optimism.

The county had secured no commitment from Walsh by January and assumed that his known negotiations with other clubs would take him elsewhere. Walsh, in contrast, felt that he was entitled to test the water with other counties and saw the withdrawal of Gloucestershire's offer as a betrayal.

Chief executive Colin Sexstone said: "Courtney will be a great loss but, looking on the positive side, this means that Jon Lewis, who is improving so rapidly, can share the new ball with Mike Smith, while Ian Harvey, our new overseas player from Victoria, is a quality seam bowler as well as a dangerous batsman."

Smith, in his prime at 31, spearheaded Gloucestershire's attack in Walsh's absence in 1997 when, with 83 first class wickets at 16 runs each, he was the most effective bowler in the country. He followed that up with 68 victims at 21 last year.

There could be opportunities for the 6 ft 5 in fast bowler Ben Gannon, 22, who is rated by some as the best 'quickie' in the second XI competition. The bowling is also bolstered by the arrival from Northamptonshire of off-spinner Jeremy Snape.

The signing of Kim Barnett from Derbyshire looks very shrewd, for he could provide the consistency which Gloucestershire's upper order has lacked for many years - their 23 batting points in 1998 were fewer than all except Kent, Essex and Nottinghamshire. Barnett, 38, is fit and still scoring heavily - in each of the last three seasons his average was over 47.

Barnett was approached by Yorkshire among other counties but opted for Gloucestershire because he liked their enthusiasm. For this, Mark Alleyne, entering his third year as captain and also taking a well-earned benefit, deserves credit. Alleyne, Matt Windows and Tim Hancock will all benefit from the reduction of pressure which Barnett's presence will bring.

With Jack Russell, still among the best wicketkeepers, supported by Alleyne, Martyn Ball, Hancock and Windows, Gloucestershire's close fielding should again be of high quality.

Despite the loss of the 80 wickets on which Walsh could be relied to take, Gloucestershire look better balanced than for some time and good enough to challenge in all competitions.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)