INJURY has robbed Gloucestershire pace bowler Liam Norwell of the chance to record a career-best season in the Specsavers County Championship.

The 25-year-old seamer was on target to beat the 61 Championship wickets he took in 2015 when suffering a hamstring injury during the drawn match with Glamorgan at Cardiff last week.

Norwell’s one victim in the first innings of that game took his tally in the competition this summer to 59 at an impressive average of 17.38.

But he was unable to bowl in the second innings and has been ruled out of the final match of the four-day second division campaign against Derbyshire at Bristol, starting today.

Head coach Richard Dawson said: “It’s bad luck for Liam, particularly as he also missed our two Championship games with Notts earlier in the season.

“Other than that he has been so consistent and shown himself to be a real quality performer.”

Craig Miles could return to Gloucestershire’s team in place of Norwell, although a squad of 12 also includes left-arm spinner Tom Smith.

Home supporters will be looking forward to watching James Bracey following the big hundred the young wicketkeeper-batsman made at Cardiff in only his fourth Championship appearance.

The product of Winterbourne Cricket Club has enjoyed a prolific season with Bristol CC and will be looking for a high score at the Brightside Ground after making 63 against Leicestershire at Grace Road and 156 against Glamorgan.

Dawson said: “James has shown a really disciplined approach to his batting and is very clear on his game plan.”

Gloucestershire are unbeaten at home in the Championship this season and that is a record the head coach intends to preserve.

He said: “We talked about improving our home form at the start of the summer and that is what has happened.

“Now we want to go out on a high note in front of our own crowd with a really effective team performance against Derbyshire.”

Benny Howell will again open the batting for Gloucestershire after marking his first Championship appearance of the season with a score of 163 at Cardiff.

The all-rounder has already expressed a desire to make a regular return to opener, a position he filled early in his career.

“If Benny goes on playing like he did at Cardiff, it is certainly a possibility,” said Dawson.

Gloucestershire (from) B.Howell, C.Dent, J.Bracey (wkt), G.Hankins, P.Mustard (capt), J.Taylor, K.Noema-Barnett, C.Miles, J.Shaw, D.Payne, M.Taylor., T.Smith.