Gloucestershire must evolve to stay ahead of the pack

Before last week Gloucestershire had not lost in the knockout stage of a cup competition for three years. Then in the space of four days they lost twice - beaten in the C&G Trophy by Durham and then at Lord's in the final of the Benson and Hedges Cup against Surrey.

To lose once might be considered unfortunate, but to lose twice might have observers wondering if it was down to carelessness.

But Gloucestershire skipper Mark Alleyne has noticed that others teams have altered their strategy when they meet the West Country side. And now he has warned his players that they too must evolve if they are to stay ahead of the pack.

He told PA Sport: "You have got to stay one step ahead of the game. You have got to keep evolving in this game.

"If you think you can just win and just stay still, then you will become a loser sooner or later.

"We have to make sure we are better and better - and even though we have lost a couple of games I believe we are a better unit than two years ago when this run of success started.

"But this year teams we have played have been totally different to previously with their strategy. Everyone is trying things to combat our style.

"The good thing is that we respond very well and very quickly to most things thrown at us. That is one of our strengths.

"We do not think we will go downhill. We've won four cup finals on the trot and lost another to a very formidable Surrey side.

"But we are very conscious of the fact that if you look to stand still then you are asking for trouble.

"We want individuals to keep developing their game and as a team we want to further develop our game - not just in the one-day format but also the four-day game.

"We want to be pretty much in the situation that Surrey are in where we are competing in both aspects of the game. That's the long-term goal.

"I think a little per cent improvement in everyone's game could be a huge improvement for the team."

Wicket-keeper Jack Russell, whose fighting half-century as a makeshift opener proved in vain, said: "I think this team will be coming back to Lord's again.

"This team has got a lot more to offer. We are looking to go forward. It's not the end of the road by a long way."