2018 county cricket previews: Gloucestershire

In partnership with the Cricketers’ Who’s Who, here’s Wisden’s profile of Gloucestershire for 2018.

CLICK FOR FULL LIST OF 2018 WISDEN PREDICTIONS AND PROFILES OF EVERY COUNTY

FORMED: 1871
HOME GROUND: The Brightside Ground, Bristol
CAPTAIN: Chris Dent (Championship and RL50); TBC (T20)
2017 RESULTS: CC2: 6/10; RL50: 7/9 South Group; T20: 9/9 South Group
HONOURS: Gillette/NatWest/C&G/FP Trophy: (5) 1973, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004; Benson & Hedges Cup: (3) 1977, 1999, 2000; Pro40/National League/CB40/YB40/RL50: (2) 2000, 2015

The lowdown

Sixth in Division Two, seventh in their One-Day Cup division, bottom of their T20 Blast group: Gloucestershire’s saving grace in 2017 was Alfred the Gorilla, who won the T20 Finals Day mascot race for the second year running. The shortcomings in white-ball cricket were a particular disappointment, with the batsmen unable to back up a cast of savvy bowlers, among whom Benny Howell confirmed his status as one of the country’s leading one-day performers with a Blast economy-rate of just 5.75 – the best in the competition.

Liam Norwell was far and away Gloucestershire’s best bowler in Championship cricket (59 wickets at 17.39) and will be supported by 26-year-old Australian seamer Daniel Worrall until July. Chris Dent, the new skipper, was alone in offering a steady flow of runs, although James Bracey, a 20-year-old Bristolian keeper-batsman, offered hope with 370 runs in six innings. Powerful all-rounder Ryan Higgins has signed from Middlesex but Michael Klinger’s availability is in doubt after his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. Jack Taylor will not bowl after receiving a ban for an illegal action – his third in five years.

Transfers

IN: Ryan Higgins (Mid), Andrew Tye (Aus, T20), Daniel Worrall (Aus)
OUT: Brandon Gilmour, Patrick Grieshaber (both REL)

Head coach: Richard Dawson

Dawson was appointed in early 2015 after gaining some coaching experience with Yorkshire’s 2nd XI and inspired Gloucestershire to win the One-Day Cup in his first season. A former Yorkshire and Gloucestershire off-spinner who played seven Tests, Dawson worked as a spin-bowling and one-day coach at Bristol following his retirement in 2011. Assistant coach Ian Harvey won six one-day trophies at the club between 1999 and 2003.