The good, the bad and the ugly (From Gazette Series)

The good, the bad and the ugly

'MIXED fortunes' are the only two words that can possibly be used to describe Gloucestershire CCC's recent form, as two wins out of two in the Championship were marred by another dismal defeat in the Totesport League on Sunday.

Mark Alleyne's side may have risen to third place in Division One of the Frizzell County Championship but their fortunes in the one-day game, so often the team's strongest aspect, have taken a terrible tumble and a relegation battle already looks likely.

Gloucestershire were hopelessly outplayed by Northamptonshire at Archdeacon Meadow on Sunday, losing by 109 runs to make it five losses out of six in the Totesport League so far this season.

Tim Roberts (88) and Usman Afzaal (69) had inspired Northants onto a fair total of 266-5 in their innings, although Gloucestershire had always seemed able to contain the firepower, with Mike Smith collecting 2-60 and Shoaib Malik 3-28.

In fact, had it not been for tailenders Ben Phillips and Tobin Bailey, who rushed a quickfire 50 from the last 28 balls of the innings, the Northants total would have fallen well below the 250 mark.

However, it was during their spell in bat that Gloucestershire threw this game away. Despite the much-heralded Craig Spearman hitting two fours and a six early on as he attempted to recreate his record-breaking Championship form of last week, the Kiwi departed for 22 after falling lbw to off-spinner Graeme Swann, and there was to be no inspiration for the Gladiators this time round.

Indeed, the entire order fell very cheaply, with Phil Weston and Alex Gidman bowing out to successive deliveries from Johann Louw to signal the start of an almighty plight that saw a virtual procession of Gloucestershire batsmen coming back and forth from the pavilion for brief stays at the crease.

The reply gradually crumbled from a once-promising 92-4 to a desperate 112-8, and then on to a truly infernal 157 all out with eight overs still remaining, as Gloucestershire found themselves well off the pace in yet another one-day massacre this season.

Having shone in the one-day game last season, finishing second in the National League, the team seem to have undergone a severe metamorphosis in terms of form, and head coach Alleyne will be desperate to address this problem before his side find themselves in real trouble at the basement of the league table.

Meanwhile, things are looking a lot healthier in the Championship, with all the talk being about opener Spearman and his unforgettable first innings score of 341 against Middlesex last week. The Kiwi also claimed an unbeaten 29 to guide his side home in the second innings as Gloucestershire made the rest of the Championship stand up and take notice with a whopping 10-wicket victory in Gloucester.

The result moved the team up to third place in Division One and, after a shaky start to the four-day season, Gloucestershire are adapting to life in the elite league with flying colours under the new captaincy of Chris Taylor.

l Gloucestershire begin their latest Championship game against Surrey today at The Oval, before taking on Sussex on Tuesday.