HEAD coach Richard Dawson has challenged his Gloucestershire players to achieve a top three finish in the Specsavers County Championship Second Division this season.

With only one promotion place on offer and Essex out of sight at the top of the table, it could be argued that Dawson’s men have little to play for in their penultimate game against Northants at Northampton, starting today (Monday).

But that is certainly not how Dawson sees it. Gloucestershire lie fourth, 29 points behind second placed Kent with a game in hand, and only six behind third placed Sussex.

“A top three finish would be a great confidence boost for next season and that has to be the aim,” said Dawson.

“We saw a big improvement in our Championship form in the recent game at Derby and we then did even better to beat Glamorgan at Cardiff.

“It’s important we take that momentum into our final matches. I believe we are still progressing in the right direction and ending up in the top three would support that.”

Gloucestershire already look certain to better last season’s final placing of sixth and to better the 177 points they accumulated in 2015.

Two players have individual milestones to aim for against Northants. Craig Miles needs one wicket to reach 50 in first class cricket this summer.

And Hamish Marshall requires 83 to mark his farewell season as a Gloucestershire player with 1,000 first class runs.

“That would be great for Marshy,” said Dawson. “He has been a fantastic servant to the club and centuries in two of our last three games show he is still a class act.

“Craig Miles is a bowler of huge potential. He is only 22 and still maturing as a person and a cricketer.

“Unfortunately, he picked up a side injury in the University game and missed the start of the season. But he has bowled really well recently and is also making valuable runs at number eight.

“For most of our players every Championship match is still an education and the Northants match will be no exception.”

Dawson has revealed that Gloucestershire have already opened negotiations with an overseas signing target to replace Michael Klinger in red ball cricket next season.

“With Michael only playing the one-day competitions and Hamish leaving, we need to recruit a batsman,” said the head coach.

“Apart from that my main priority is to make sure we hang onto our current players because I am sure there is more to come from them.”