Championship Essentials: Gloucestershire v Leicestershire

Match times, streaming information, tickets and travel, team news, head-to-head record, weather forecast, prediction, and everything else you need to know ahead of the latest round of the County Championship...

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Fixture: Gloucestershire v Leicestershire

Venue: County Ground, Bristol

Dates: Thursday, April 29, 2021 - Sunday, May 2, 2021

Start time: 11am 

What's the lowdown?

Unfancied Gloucestershire's form has arguably been the story of the Championship season so far. Wins against first-division stalwarts Surrey and Somerset were followed by a last-day heist against Hampshire, the Bristol outfit's last-wicket pair holding on for 106 balls to draw. 

Their round four opponents Leicestershire have struggled against fine opposition and are yet to register a win this season, though a creditable high-scoring draw at The Oval against Surrey in their second fixture suggested signs of resilience. 

Who's in form?

Though he was less prolific against Somerset last week, scoring 36 and a seven-ball duck, Foxes opener Hassan Azad has been their standout performer of the campaign. He has 280 runs at 56 so far this term, facing down the likes of Mohammad Abbas, Kyle Abbot, Kemar Roach and Craig Overton. 

Gloucestershire's top order has also been a strength, with James Bracey enhancing his England credentials with a century and an unbeaten 83 against west country rivals Somerset and a further half-century against Hampshire.

With three 50s so far this term, opener Chris Dent has also been typically resourceful. How a batter with a first-class average in excess of 40 since the start of 2015 hasn't featured more prominently in discussions for England top order vacancies is the question that needs answering.

Ryan Higgins remains one of the country's leading allrounders and has 17 wickets at 16.17 and 141 runs at 35.25 after three rounds: with Ben Stokes absent through injury, and Chris Woakes and Sam Curran's availability for the start of the summer uncertain, England could do a lot worse. 

Last five first-class matches (most recent first)

Gloucestershire: DWWDL

Leicestershire: LDLLD

Head-to-head first-class record

Total matches: 132

Gloucestershire wins: 59

Leicestershire wins: 37

Draws: 36

Abandoned: 2

What's the team news?

Gloucestershire: Coming soon.

Leicestershire: Colin Ackermann misses out through concussion, so Callum Parkinson - appointed as vice-captain ahead of the season - leads Leicestershire in red-ball cricket for the first time. Sam Evans, meanwhile, re-joins the squad after passing a concussion test. He made a century against Surrey a fortnight ago.

Leicestershire squad: Callum Parkinson (c), Hassan Azad, Harry Dearden, Alex Evans, Sam Evans, Gavin Griffiths, Marcus Harris, Lewis Hill, Dieter Klein, Ben Mike, Rishi Patel, Harry Swindells, Chris Wright

Latest Gloucestershire news: Click here

Latest Leicestershire news: Click here

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What's the weather forecast?

A dry first and final day bookend 48 hours which are likely to be rain-affected for periods. With single-digit temperatures at points, expect plenty of jumpers on show at Bristol.

Keep up to date with the MetOffice’s rolling forecast for Bristol: 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: This match is to be played behind closed doors owing to Covid-19 restrictions. 

Travel: Not applicable owing to Covid-19 restrictions.

Prediction?

After exceeding expectations in three tough rounds, Gloucestershire finally enter a match as favourites. The Foxes have bad memories of their last away date with the Bristol-based side (at Cheltenham in 2019), Leicestershire collapsing from 255 for 4 at tea on the final day to 299 all out, leaving their opponents to chase down the 48 runs required with three balls to spare. Higgins was Leicestershire's destroyer-in-chief that day and, with conditions in his favour, it would be no surprise if he was a handful this time out. Home win.

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