Gloucestershire look to homegrown talent to fill the void left by Klinger and Tye

T20 BLAST PREVIEW: Michael Klinger has retired, Andrew Tye's contract was cancelled as a result of the coronavirus pandemic... now Gloucestershire need Benny Howell, Ryan Higgins and David Payne to step up

Coach: Richard Dawson

Captain: Jack Taylor

Last season: Quarter-finals

Fixtures: August 27 - Northamptonshire (h, 2pm); August 28 - Glamorgan (h, 2pm); August 31 - Worcestershire (a, 1pm); September 4 - Worcestershire (h, 2pm); September 11 - Northamptonshire (a, 2.30pm); September 13 - Somerset (a, 2pm); September 15 - Birmingham Bears (h, 2pm); September 18 - Glamorgan (a, 6.30pm); September 20 - Somerset (h, 1pm)

How did they do last year?

Gloucestershire came second in the South Division. Captain Michael Klinger, who has since retired, steered his team to seven wins, losing just three. One game was drawn to Glamorgan, and the rest abandoned due to weather conditions, as Gloucestershire ended up on 18 points, just one behind leaders Sussex.

They looked capable of reaching Finals Day but fell short against Derbyshire in the last eight.

Only Ian Cockbain and Miles Hammond scored significant runs as Gloucestershire could only post 135 for 7, and Derbyshire reached their required total with seven wickets to spare.

Who are their key players?

Klinger was a go-to and hugely underrated asset across the T20 circuit. With his retirement, Jack Taylor will take over the reins as captain.

Cockbain hit the top of the averages for Gloucestershire during last year's Blast, with 277 runs at 34.62 across 12 innings. At the age of 33, Cockbain will be a senior member of the squad and will add valuable experience to the side.

Hammond will be one to watch this year. He was the second leading runscorer for Gloucestershire in T20 last year (322), just behind Klinger. His useful strike rate of 140 was bolstered by 39 fours and 10 sixes - the most boundaries for his club in T20 competition last term.

David Payne and Andrew Tye were key bowlers last year but Tye will not be returning. Like Qais Ahmad, Tye's overseas deal was ripped up as a result of the coronavirus crisis. Plenty of responsibility will therefore fall on Payne. The omens are good - last year he returned 16 wickets and went for a steady economy of 7.38 across 47 overs.

Benny Howell's return is criticial. His numbers last year paint the picture of an incredibly valuable player in T20 - a strike rate of 145.2 and average of 26.5 with the bat, and an economy of 6.65 with the ball. His bowling variations offer a captain incredible options, especially at the death. How his hamstring stands up to the test after a bad injury last year will go a long way to determining Gloucestershire's impact on this tournament.

VISIT THE COUNTY HUB: News, interviews & live scores

What are their strengths?

Gloucestershire have an long batting line-up, with a strong middle order. George Scott has recently showed in the Bob Willis Trophy that he is capable of scoring crucial runs for his team. Gloucestershire will have a host of young players to choose from, and their creativity and speed should be useful.

A heavy middle order will prove key in the back halves of innings. Last year, Graeme van Buuren led the strike rate stakes with 165, Hammond and Howell were not far behind, each hitting above 140.

Gloucestershire proved themselves capable of breaching the 180 barrier on multiple occasions in 2019, and they will be confident that - if a weight of runs comes freely - their bowling unit has the ability to win matches.

Where might they have a weakness?

Inexperience. With Klinger retiring, Gloucestershire are without their captain and most seasoned batsman. It will be hard to get that experience back.

The story is the same with Tye, who is among the best deal bowlers in world T20. 

Both Josh Shaw and Matt Taylor only played one game last year. They will be getting as much practice as they can during the Bob Willis Trophy to hone their skills, but when match day comes – nothing can make up for that lost experience.

What are their chances of reaching Finals Day?

It is certainly not out of the question, even if much of their experience is missing.

With a strong middle order it will be hard to bowl this side out cheaply.

Ryan Higgins has proved in the Bob Willis Trophy that he is capable of practically bowling whole sides out by himself. If the likes of Howell and Payne can fire too, Gloucestershire will be confident of limiting their opponents to modest totals.

Strongest XI: Miles Hammond, Ian Cockbain, Graeme van Buuren, James Bracey, Ryan Higgins, Benny Howell, Gareth Roderick, Jack Taylor, George Scott, David Payne, Josh Shaw

For unrivalled coverage of the county season, subscribe to The Cricketer and receive 3 issues for £5