by Abhai Sawkar The 2018 English county season could not be more enjoyable. We've seen several dramatic performances, in each of the formats, at every venue. Each of the counties had their respective ups and downs, and there was entertainment galore. Gloucestershire is among ten teams currently vying for one of the top two spots in Division Two of the Specsavers County Championship. It's been a bit of a difficult road so far, given that they've registered two wins after playing eight games. However, the competition is quite far from over, plus the Vitality Blast is in session. If the longer format doesn't yield the dividends, the shortest format could. Earlier this month, I had a chance to interview Gloucestershire's experienced batting all-rounder Benny Howell, who has developed his bowling skill through baseball! He was fascinated by the pitching variations in baseball when he made a trip to America a few years ago, and his incorporation of knuckle balls and slower deliveries have made him a multitalented cricket in his side. Q: Who's your cricketing idol and why? A: AB de Villiers. He's an all-round gun, humble, and handles himself incredibly well. Q: On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the best, how would you assess the season so far? What went well and what didn't go so well? A: 4. We started well in the Championship with a win, but in the One-Day Cup, a mixture of rain and a couple bad games didn't help us. Q: Hampshire or Gloucestershire? Where do you like it better? A: Glorious Glosters! Q: When did you realize cricket was your career of choice? A: When I first held a bat! Q: Who is your favorite county cricketer and why? Who's the best teammate and why? A: Joe Denly of late, I think he's turned into a class batter. Ryan Higgins - his level of enthusiasm for the game is at another level. Q: I've seen you play in the Blast as well as in the BPL, and it would be great to see you showcase your all-round skills in the IPL. Which IPL team is your favorite and why? A: Whatever team Andrew Tye plays for, #knucklebrothers. [Kings XI Punjab] Q: Describe your playing style in 3 words. A: Canny, energetic allrounder. Q: What are the resolutions for the remainder of this season? A: Win the T20 Blast! Gloucestershire have not exactly had the returns they would've hope for in the Championship and One-Day Cup, but they've qualified for the quarterfinals in the Vitality Blast! They are currently second in their group, trailing Somerset by two points, but they're through to the next stage of the competition. Another two group-stage games to go, and the playoffs will be underway. They have proven to be a strong force game after game, and they've even vanquished formidable rivals such as Surrey! A big thanks to Howell for his time. He's been a key part of his side, and he's impressed with both facets of his game, especially his cutters and slower balls. My best wishes are with him and the team, and they stand a great chance to potentially lift the Blast silverware. Gloucestershire have been quite consistent in limited overs cricket this decade, and the 2015 final against Surrey was a game to remember. They are a team with plenty of talented superstars, and success is imminent!
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AuthorsAkseli Pitkänen Archives
September 2020
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