Cricket Gloucestershire v Hampshire

County Cricket / Editor / 11 May 2007 / Leave a Comment

Gloucestershire v Hampshire (Friends Provident Trophy) - Bristol (Sunday 10:45am - live on Sky Sports)

Friends Provident Trophy action is back on the cards on Sunday, with six games in the North and South conferences sure to provide Betfair punters with plenty of chances to have a bet, should the unsettled weather allow a full day's play.

Sky Sports have chosen the game at Bristol for live coverage this week, where Gloucestershire host Hampshire at the County Ground in a game that would put a winner, if there is one, with a fine chance of making the semi-finals.

The Gladiators and Hawks have both won two games in the FPT so far this season, but Hampshire just have the advantage in the table because of their net-run-rate, currently standing fourth behind Kent, Surrey (100 per cent in two games) and Somerset.

But neither of them is among the favourites in the outright market, one where there has been little interest in any team so far, with Hampshire available at 10 for small stakes and Gloucestershire among the outsiders at 28 - there is very little liquidity in the market at the moment.

Both sides come in to the game in good one-day form, but Gloucestershire's is marginally the better with wins in both of their last two games, in very different fashion.

The first victory was much more impressive as they edged to a one-wicket win over a solid Sussex side. Zimbabwe pace bowler Anthony Ireland managed to hit a four off the penultimate ball of a match, reduced to 31 overs per side, to claim victory.

They followed that up on Friday by absolutely annihilating Ireland in Dublin when a young and under-rated bowling attack dismissed the World Cup heroes for only 63 as they chased a very decent target of 249 for victory.

The Gladiators should provide a tough challenge for Hampshire in all facets of the game, and should the pitch provide assistance to the batsmen, that would give them a distinct advantage as their line-up has depth all the way down to the number eight spot occupied by wicket-keeper Stephen Adshead - one of a number of contenders for England recognition over the coming months.

But it is most likely their top three that will prove key to them setting a target or chasing something testing down, with Marcus North already proving himself to be in excellent nick this season. He grabbed his highest one-day score of the season so far with 77 against Ireland and has a first-class ton to his name as well.

Craig Spearman has also been in fine form, and along with Kadeer Ali that trio should be at the top of the top run-scorer market, although there is a dark horse in the form of youngster Grant Hodnett, if he gets another chance to shine as the second overseas player.

Filling that role to good effect against Ireland was South African pace bowler Ashley Noffke, and he will be the main danger to Hampshire after taking 16 wickets in the early part of the season. Steve Kirby should also be in his element if the pitch allows raw speed to get an advantage, but their lack of a decent spin option is a real worry if their pacemen are not on form, as they certainly were not when crushed by Surrey in their record-breaking 496-4 effort in the tournament opener.

On paper, Hampshire would appear to have the stronger team but they have not really hit their top form this season, with a decent enough win over a poor Middlesex side and a narrow one over Ireland to go with a heavy defeat by Essex.

Shane Warne and Stuart Clark have both taken the odd wicket, but it has been their bowling that has caused the most trouble with a lack of consistency harming their final results - finding a consistent starting XI has also proved troublesome.

Some 12 of their squad members have already bowled in one of their three FPT games, and although they may still be trying to find out their best side, the inconsistency can be maddening for punters looking to play in any of the individual player markets, leaving the two Australians as the main hopes.

The batting line-up has proved somewhat more consistent in selection terms but they have been lacking in runs, with only keeper Nic Pothas and winter addition Michael Lumb having even managed to score a 50 - Pothas managed a fine 114 in one of his two innings and then followed that up with a duck when the Hawks were embarrassingly bowled out for 75 by Essex.

So it could prove more interesting to look at last season's form where youngster Chris Benham earned his spurs with some fine late-year knocks, especially the incredible 158 he scored against Glamorgan to earn his side promotion to Division One of the Pro40 competition, especially in the absence of Kevin Pietersen with a calf injury.