GLOUCESTERSHIRE head coach Richard Dawson believes playing the likes of Nottinghamshire can only benefit his players.

Gloucestershire have now played the Specsavers County Championship Division Two leaders in back-to-back matches and, after being hammered by an innings and fifty runs, they fought out a draw at The Brightside Ground in Bristol over the weekend.

Gloucestershire were 303 all out in their first innings but Nottinghamshire smashed 535-8 declared to leave Gloucestershire needing 233 to win.

But, after being 35-3, Graeme van Buuren, Thornbury’s Chris Dent and wicketkeeper Phil Mustard dug in to bat out the day and force a draw.

Dawson was pleased with the effort, saying: “Notts are a very good side and they are top of the table for a reason. They have half a dozen internationals in the side, bags of First Division experience and were still not at full strength.

"Playing sides like this represents a big challenge to our players and I thought they stood up to the test well.

"They will only improve by playing better opposition and they came through a couple of very tough days in the field and did what was required of them."