Rothesay CC Match Preview: Derbyshire v Gloucestershire
Yesterday at 06:50 AM
The sun is out, the skies are blue in Derby and cricket is back at the county ground following an off season of relative stability. There is the same coach, very few player comings and goings a new or returning captain and the optimism that only a new season can bring as they welcome Gloucestershire for their first county championship game of the season.
Likewise Gloucestershire have had a quiet off season, with just Zafar Gohar leaving for pastures new and no one coming through the door the other way. They too have had a change at captain, with Graeme van Buuren stepping down to be replaced by overseas signing Camron Bancroft.
Both sides have struggled over the last two seasons, finding themselves at wrong end of the Championship table, taking up the bottom two spaces, but having the good grace to swap places so one side did not finish bottom both seasons. The lack of change could either mean more of the same for both counties, with little squad turn over, or it could mean a lack of turmoil breeds consistency and both will be propelled up the table. Both sides will feel they have the potential to finish in contention for promotion, although whether that comes to fruition, only time and the season will tell.
Key Players
Derbyshire have won just one first class game in the last two seasons, partly due to struggling to take 20 wickets in a match. Last season however saw the re-emergence of Zak Chappell following his move from Nottinghamshire the previous year. Chappell took 31 wickets to go with 24 the previous summer and became the spearhead of the Derbyshire attack. If Chappell can rediscover this form, which his pre-season games haves indicated he can, then Derbyshire will be leaning on him for an even greater wicket return and an addition in the wins column from the last two years.
"Hey James, you know how you keep wicket and bat at three, you don't fancy being captain as well do you?" is a question most people would baulk. However James Bracey has said yes of course and he will stand in, as he has on eight previous occasions, to captain the side. He is an experienced player who has appeared for his country and brings understanding, leadership and expertise to the field. Coupled with his superb keeping and high order batting, Bracey's output will be critical to Gloucestershire's success.
Team News
Derbyshire will be without their overseas bowler Blair Tickner as he is yet to arrive on English shores. However, apart from this they are choosing from a fully fit squad. Their other overseas signing Caleb Jewell will open the batting fresh off his century vs the South Asia Cricket Academy. The main intrigue in selection will come around their spin choice with Alex Thompson fighting it out with new signing Jack Morley.
Derbyshire squad: TBA
Like Derbyshire, Gloucestershire will be without their overseas player Cameron Bancroft who is also their skipper, James Bracey deputising in his absence. Otherwise Mark Alleyne is picking from a fully fit and firing squad.
.Gloucestershire squad: TBA
Weather and Conditions
The weather looks to be set fair for the duration of the match and having had two pre season friendlies played on it so far, the tracks have played well, offering just enough for the bowlers, while giving batters plenty of opportunity to score runs. The fourth day could well be seeing an exciting finish with spin playing a role late on.
Date: 4th April 2025
Time: 11.00 am
Ground: County Ground, Derby
