Match times, streaming information, tickets and travel, team news, weather forecast, form, prediction and everything else you need to know ahead of the latest round of the LV= Insurance County Championship...
Fixture: Gloucestershire v Middlesex
Venue: Cheltenham College, Cheltenham
Dates: Monday, July 5, 2021 - Thursday, July 8, 2021
Start time: 11am
What's the lowdown?
Gloucestershire are riding high in Group Two. They are currently second in the table, occupying one of the Division One qualifying spots, and have won four, drawn two and lost two of their eight red-ball matches in 2021. They are without a win in three Championship outings, drawing to Somerset and losing to Surrey and Leicestershire, but won the reverse fixture in comfortable fashion, defeating Middlesex by seven wickets at Lord's.
At the other end of the table, Middlesex are in poor red-ball form. Peter Handscomb's side are without a win since round three - a 10-wicket mauling of Surrey - and have lost six of their eight Championship matches to date. Middlesex are currently languising in sixth place in Group Two and have the joint lowest points total (60) of the 18 teams, level with Derbyshire.
Who's in form?
James Bracey is Gloucestershire's leading run-scorer, with 479 runs, including one century and four half-centuries, in just 11 Championship innings. Ian Cockbain and Chris Dent have also impressed with the bat, scoring 302 runs and 386 runs, respectively, while Graeme van Buuren has one century in three innings (although the cloud over his playing status is a potential issue).
With the ball, Ryan Higgins and David Payne have taken the limelight. Higgins has 33 wickets at an average of 21.15 while Payne has 25 at 20.56.
Middlesex have lost leading run-scorer Nick Gubbins (514 runs) to Hampshire, ramping up the pressure on Sam Robson and Stephen Eskinazi at the top of the order. Robson has 464 red-ball runs in 2021, but has only passed 50 twice in 16 innings. Eskinazi, meanwhile, struggled with the bat before the break, scoring just 163 runs before being dropped, but will have confidence anew after shining in the Blast.
Ethan Bamber and Tim Murtagh top the bowling standings, with 28 and 26 wickets, respectively.
Last five first-class matches (most recent first)
Gloucestershire: LLDWW
Middlesex: LDLLL
Head-to-head first-class record
Total matches: 195
Gloucestershire wins: 49
Middlesex wins: 89
Draws: 57
Abandoned: 1
What's the team news?
Gloucestershire: David Payne will captain the side in the absence of Chris Dent (finger) while Iam Cockbain (ankle) is also absent. Ben Charlesworth will play for the second XI as he continues his comeback from a dislocated shoulder.
James Bracey returns after missing the last two Championship matches due to England commitments while brothers Tom and Ollie Price are included in the squad together for the first time.
Gloucestershire squad: James Bracey, Miles Hammond, Glenn Phillips, Tom Lace, Ryan Higgins, Jack Taylor, Matthew Taylor, Daniel Worrall, David Payne, Josh Shaw, Tom Price, Ollie Price
Middlesex: Peter Handscomb's side are stregthened by the addition of New Zealand international Daryl Mitchell, who will be available for the next two Championship fixtures. Josh de Caires will be hoping to make his debut after being included in Middlesex's 14-man squad.
Middlesex squad: Peter Handscomb, Martin Andersson, Ethan Bamber, Blake Cullen, Josh de Caires, Stephen Eskinazi, Tom Helm, Luke Hollman, Daryl Mitchell, Tim Murtagh, Sam Robson, John Simpson, Nathan Sowter, Robbie White
Latest Gloucestershire news: Click here
Latest Middlesex news: Click here
Who's said what?
Coming soon.
What's the weather forecast?
Wet spells are forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday, but the first and final days look clear and sunny.
Keep up to date with the MetOffice’s rolling forecast for Cheltenham: Click here
How do I follow the match?
TV/stream: Gloucestershire will offer live coverage of the match via their website: Click here
All County Championship matches are also available via the ECB's central hub: Click here
The matches can also be viewed on mobile via the ECB app.
Radio: BBC Local Radio and the BBC Sport website will carry ball-by-ball radio commentary of the game.
Digital: The Cricketer will carry live scorecards and daily updates from every County Championship match in 2021, as well as the latest breaking news from around the counties and exclusive features. Visit our County Hub for more.
Going to the game?
Tickets: Concession - £15, Adult - £20, Under 18 - £5 - click here for details
Travel
Address: Visit Cayman Islands Cheltenham Cricket Festival, Cheltenham College, College Sports Ground, Thirlestaine Road, Cheltenham, GL53 7AB
By road:
From North and West: from M5 junction 11 take A40 (east) towards Cheltenham, continue on A40 (Gloucester Road then Lansdown Road), at Island Filling Station turn right on to Andover Road. Go over traffic lights into Suffolk Road. Go over traffic lights into Thirlestaine Road.
From South: from Cirencester (A435) continue to junction with A40, turn left on to A40 and continue on this road to Cheltenham College.
From East: follow A40 towards Cheltenham town centre, the College is on this road.
Parking: Parking is at the College Lawn Entrance of the ground, please note, this car park can only be used if a parking pass has been purchased.
Additional parking is available at Reeves Field which is around the corner from the College Ground. Parking for a whole day at Reeves Field is only £8.
By Train: Cheltenham Spa Train Station is located approximately one mile from the Cheltenham Cricket ground.
By Bus: Cheltenham and District L from town centre. There is a bus link from Cheltenham Spa Train Station to the town centre.
Prediction?
Very dependent on the weather. If enough overs can be bowled, Gloucestershire will take the win.
OTHER ROUND 10 MATCH PREVIEWS
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
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