Alleyne praise for Herefordshire and Counties Cricket
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- Last Updated on Sunday, 16 June 2024 09:40
- Published on Sunday, 16 June 2024 00:11
Gloucestershire requested two T20 matches rather than the usual Showcase format of one 50 overs contest and to play a month earlier than the other matches between the 20 National Counties and 18 first-class counties.
Having lost three of their first four matches in the Vitality Blast the cross-border matches gave Gloucestershire the chance to re-set and regain some confidence and Herefordshire made them work for their two victories – the first by 48 runs and the second by 52 runs.
“Herefordshire are a good side and they played really well. It was nice to come here and get two competitive games in and the boys really enjoyed it,” Alleyne said.
“This format is quite hard to practise sometimes. You can get some feedback in the nets but there is no better feedback than playing in a game against opposition where there are consequences for getting it wrong.
“That’s why we approached the games as we did. We wanted good feedback from our efforts.”
Although Alleyne has played at Eastnor before, it was a first visit to Clenchers Mill Lane for most of his players and they enjoyed themselves in the rural setting and the hospitality of the host club.
“We talk a lot about trying to be agile with our thinking ,” Alleyne said.
“The lovely thing about England is that you get so many different playing conditions even on the first class circuit.
“So, coming here to somewhere where many of them have not played before is good for that agility.
“It was an early start but once we got here everything was in place. We had a middle wicket practise and everyone at the club was very helpful and ensured that we got everything we needed from the day.”
Alleyne also came away with the names of two of Herefordshire’s young batters as worthy of further interest. Ollie Walker plundered 77 in the second match after Daniyal Khan had made 72 in the opener.
Khan was originally scheduled to play only in the first match but, having made his maiden half-century for Herefordshire, he was given a second chance to impress Alleyne and finished unbeaten on 30.
Gloucestershire have already National Counties cricket fertile ground for player recruitment with 13 of their current first team squad having made the transition to first-class cricket.
“I think National Counties cricket is a good development area. As I said earlier, Herefordshire were very competitive against us,” he said.
“I think the standard has risen over the last few years and I think that’s good for the first-class game because the National Counties are feeding into the first-class game.
“So, when we watch these fixtures and see these guys playing we make a note and see who is looking to take that next step further.”
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