Glo’sters ‘in good place’ heading into T20 Blast
MARK Alleyne believes that his Gloucestershire side is “in a good place” following the conclusion of the opening stint of red-ball cricket.
The Glo’sters lie fourth in the County Championship Division Two table, very much in the hunt for promotion, after seven matches of the campaign, following a draw at home to Derbyshire, which finished on Monday afternoon.
Bat dominated ball at Bristol as Derbyshire’s 526 all out was followed by 530 all out from the hosts.
The visitors then made 166 for four prior to their declaration and handshakes all round.
Gloucestershire head coach Alleyne said: “We started the game slowly and were disappointed to let them score 526 when 350 would have enabled us to control the game.
“We put some good partnerships of our own together when we batted, though, and it’s just a shame the rain washed out so much play (Sunday) because I think we might have seen a thrilling finish.
“But we are in a good place going into the break from red-ball cricket. We will have a long debrief to make sure we package all the good things we have done in the first half of the Championship campaign before turning our attention to the Blast.”
One Gloucestershire player who appears very much in form heading into the T20 competition is overseas signing Beau Webster, who impressed on his home Championship debut against Derbyshire.
The Aussie all-rounder took six for 100 with the ball before cracking 76 runs from just 79 deliveries with the bat.
Alleyne added: “Beau Webster was signed mainly with the T20 Blast in mind, but we felt it would be good for him to get some match practice (in the Championship).
“It was tough for him getting off a plane and then spending so long in the field at Leicester last week, but he has really shown his quality in this game.”
Gloucestershire begin their T20 Blast campaign at home to Essex tomorrow, while Somerset host the same opposition on Friday.
■ Archie Vaughan, the son of exEngland captain Michael Vaughan, has signed his first professional contract with Somerset to run across the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
The deal will begin in November and comes after the 18-year-old made his second XI debut for the club in 2022.
He played for Somerset in the T20 Abu Dhabi Counties Super Cup, scoring 35 runs from 28 balls as his side beat Yorkshire to finish third.
Vaughan junior told the club’s website: “It’s something I’ve worked extremely hard for and something I’ve strived for since I was a kid, so to get the opportunity at a club where I’ve really enjoyed myself over the last few years is an honour.
“I will be looking to gain as much experience as I can and learn as much as I can from the experienced players in the dressing room.
“I want go do my bit in the second team whenever I get the opportunity and be a good team player.”
Vaughan, a top-order batter and off-spinner, joined the Cheshire county set-up at the age of ten and plays club cricket for Taunton St Andrews.
Somerset director of cricket Andy Hurry said: “Archie is a young man with a bright future ahead of him. Since joining the academy he has demonstrated a genuine and strong desire to work incredibly hard and improve every facet of his game.
“This hard work alongside his impressive on-field performances have led to Second XI opportunities, in which he has flourished. We were impressed with the manner in which he transitioned seamlessly into the professional environment in Abu Dhabi on our pre-season camp and we are really looking forward to helping him develop and grow his game and his understanding of the professional game.”