GLOUCESTERSHIRE can consolidate their lead at the top of the NatWest Pro40 League second division by beating Hampshire at Bristol on Monday - a day-night clash (starts 4.30pm) being shown live on Sky Sports 2.
The Gladiators, generally chalked up at 4-6, have been hard to fault in the 40 over per-side competition and, after winning all five of their fixtures, their title odds have dwindled from 7-1 to a best price of 10-11.
Alex Gidman’s men kicked off their campaign with an exciting 12-run win over Worcestershire (who have won their subsequent three matches) and, since then, have not been fully extended.
They thrashed Yorkshire by eight wickets next time and followed up that victory with successful chases against Leicestershire and Somerset. In their latest fixture the Gladiators showed that they are just as effective when batting first - winning by 37 runs after posting a total of 285.
Advertisement
Chris Taylor (292 runs from five innings) and wicketkeeper Stephen Adshead (who is averaging 161) have played pivotal roles with the bat, while Gidman (averaging almost 44) and Hamish Marshall have also proved solid contributors.
Evergreen Martyn Ball (nine wickets at a cost of less than 15 per wicket) has been their main weapon with the ball.
Hampshire, 11-10 chances, have won three of their five fixtures, with another of those being washed out. They need to win to keep their slim title hopes alive and their chances would be enhanced if Shane Warne plays. However, the Aussie maestro has already sat out two of their fixtures in this competition and, in any case, can only bowl a maximum of eight overs.