Two cracking home games at Bristol

[graham]

Who would have thought after all the criticism in previous seasons that KNB would become our T20 star. Man of the match today as Gloucestershire snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against Surrey.

This came on the back of thrashing Middlesex last Thursday.

Apparently we are now certain for the quarter finals, although not convinced of this having looked at the table.

[steve]

What on earth has happened to K N-B in this years T20 campaign??

Did I imagine he had been distinctly poor for the last three seasons? Did we once groan when he was selected ahead of more deserving candidates?
Did he have something on Richard Dawson??

A quick look at the stats confirm he was indeed poor. His T20 batting average from 2015-2017 was 12, but this season has rocketed to more than double at over 28.
His bowling has been even more astonishing with his 2015-2017 average of 72 runs per wicket now dropping to 26!

Now rightly an automatic pick - promoted in the batting line up - 'go to' bowler in tight games!!

The 2018 K N-B we love you!

[steve]

It was good to see Gareth Roderick coming out to bat at number eight when we were in a bit of trouble on 123-6

Just shows how strong our middle order/ tail is.

[jonb]

That to me, is the big difference this year - the side is so much better balanced. Last year we had Perara at 7, Smith at 8 and three left arm bowlers playing - it felt we had to play far too conservatively once two or three wickets went down as the tail was so long. This year, as you say it's Tye/Roderick at 8 and 9 who are both highly capable. The job Hammond is doing obviously helps as well (does he bowl at all any more, or is he considered a specialist batsman these days??)

KNB's form is a huge bonus - whilst being poor, I think he was picked in previous years on what he might do - whilst the average was poor, I'd be interested to see the strike rate - and I think that's why he was kept in.

[procswrongfoot]

Some really good, pertinent comments on this thread.

As for KNB, I have most probably been one of his main critics. Bemoaned why we gave him an initial 3 year contract. Bemoaned when we played a non-bowling all rounder. Bemoaned why we gave him a further contract for this season. Bemoaned his fitness (can't forget the ill-fitting extra large shirt in the pre-season team picture). Accordingly, I now must put my hands up in guilt.

Previously, always capable of an occasional hard hitting blast (Somerset T20 home game last season spring so mind). However, unlike the cult hero worship of his "Barny Army" brigade, I was never really convinced

In previous seasons, I always felt that Captain Klinger just did not trust his bowling. Completely baffled when we decided to promote him up the batting order in T20 this season. However, in retrospect, was this the catalyst for injecting more self belief and confidence into KNB?

jonb......fairly sure that last autumn (after the signing of Higgins), you suggested that Glos were really going for considerable T20 firepower (Benny, Jack, Higgins and KNB). However, personally I could not see KNB playing, instead expecting a more traditional line up of 4 bowlers plus 2 all rounders. On reflection, you were bang on the money and as you correctly say we have so much more balance to the team this season.

Finally, what an absolute delight to see Jack with his mojo back. A total of 239 runs (47.80 av) with a strike rate of 213. Some brilliant firepower to have potentially available late in an innings.