Gloucestershire sets sights on winning as season begins

The new head coach of Gloucestershire Cricket has pronounced the season that begins next week an opportunity to “bring consistency” and “start winning competitions”.

Back from a warm-up tour in the UAE and a club-wide team-building trip to Newquay, the squad will be playing in Division One of the County Championship for the first time since 2005.

Dale Benkenstein, former Durham captain and Hampshire coach, is set to lead Gloucestershire’s coaching department until 2024.

Speaking to Bristol24/7 about his move to Bristol, he said: “When this opportunity came up, it just seemed to really fit well with with who I am, and also where the club was. So it’s been great to actually be back over. We’ve had six weeks now on the job, and everything has been been brilliant.”

Benkenstein added: “I really feel like I’m settled in now and almost ready to start competition.”

Benkenstein is a former South African cricketer who was an all-rounder – photo: Gloucestershire Cricket

One of Benkenstein’s first decisions was to appoint Graeme van Buuren to captain Gloucestershire in the County Championship and One-day Cup this season – replacing Chris Dent. The South African batting all-rounder first joined Gloucestershire ahead of the 2016 campaign.

As well as new captain, coach and performance director, Steve Snell, five fresh cricketers are set feature on the Shire’s domestic scene this year.

“We’ve still got some some exciting players to join us as international players, and the domestic squad is pretty strong. Luckily, with all the matches we’ve had everyone’s looking in good form”, said Benkenstein.

Eighteen-year-old pace bowler Naseem Shah is set to join the club in April, having played in nine Test matches for Pakistan since making his debut against Australia in 2019.

The club has also taken on opening batter Marcus Harris on a two-year deal, hailing the signing as “a big statement of intent”. Other new players include the overseas Zafar Gohar plus Ajeet Dale and Paul van Meekeren.

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Benkenstein said: “I’m in a fortunate position – I think the team is has been doing well and it’s not like I’m trying to salvage a wrecked ship. I think the team is actually on an upward trend but they’ve got some room to to improve and move forward.”

“But what I bring in is some good experience at at winning the county championship. It’s something that the club hasn’t achieved in its history. So that is a real goal over the next few years.”

He added: “I want to bring in some real consistency in the red ball competition and get the the players and the fans to really believe that we are looking to win this competition over the next few years.”

Gloucestershire kick start their County Championship campaign against Northamptonshire on April 7.

Main photo: Gloucestershire Cricket

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