Alex aims to seize chance

Alex Gidman sets foot on cricket's grandest stage tomorrow with every incentive to produce a performance that underlines his star quality.

The 22-year-old all-rounder's name may not leap out from the cast that will assemble at Lord's for a too close to call C&G Trophy Final between Gloucestershire and Worcestershire.

However, if rival overseas all-rounders Ian Harvey and Andrew Hall are more likely match winners - and although veterans Jack Russell, Jonty Rhodes and Graeme Hick may command greater public attention - then England talent spotters will seldom let Gidman out of their sights.

The 6ft 3in former MCC Young Cricketer from High Wycombe, who plays for Gloucestershire, has already been included on Rodney Marsh's shortlist for a National Academy place this autumn.

There are those, though, who would not be surprised if England involved him in one of this winter's senior tours, especially the short trip to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka for six limited-overs internationals during November. "If England are looking to take a young batsman

somewhere this winter then Alex has to be a candidate," said Gidman's Gloucestershire team-mate Martyn Ball.

"He has really matured as a cricketer this season and especially over the last month or so when he has played several crucial innings."

It was the crispness and conviction of his strokeplay during two recent televised games that prompted high praise from former South Africa batting star and now commentator Barry Richards.

Gidman scored 61 from 49 balls during a Twenty20 Cup semi-final against Surrey and contributed an equally fluent 41 as Gloucestershire beat Derbyshire to qualify for tomorrow's big match at Lord's.

The youngster also bowls medium pace, although, like Surrey's Rikki Clarke, he will probably remain a batting all-rounder.

Gloucestershire, bidding for a fifth knockout title in five years, have bags of Lord's experience and that could bring them one more trophy before Kiwi coach John Bracewell leaves for his new job in charge of New Zealand's national side.

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