Gloucestershire CCC: An in-depth preview of their upcoming Natwest t20 Blast 2015 campaign (Part 2)

Key players

Benny Howell

Howell confirmed his all-round ability with bat and ball in 2014, finishing 4th in the runscorers list and 2nd in the wicket-taking list for Gloucestershire. Howell shared the top spot for the amount of sixes hit with Ian Cockbain, who cleared the ropes on 9 occasions. The ex-Hampshire man scored 254 runs at an average of 21 and a strike rate of 114, whilst taking 15 wickets at an average of 19.6 as well as an impressive economy rate of 7.17. His only half-century came against his old county and it came off just 24 balls with 4 sixes.

Ian Cockbain

The star man for Gloucestershire in batting terms during last season's t20 Blast. The batsman passed 50 three times, with a high score of 84 coming against Sussex at Hove in a 4 run victory. Cockbain averaged 27 at a strike rate of 118 as he top scored with 354 runs in 14 innings, with 9 sixes.

(Gareth Roderick answering as many t20-related questions as he can in 1 minute)

Peter Handscomb

What will Peter Handscomb's career average be after
this tournament? (PHOTO: Harry Engels/Getty Images Sport)

The Australian overseas player brought in for this season already has a Big Bash League hundred under his belt. A relative unknown to wider audiences at that point, Handscomb plundered 5 sixes in an incredible innings to chase down the champions' 180 - the next highest scorer for his Melbourne Stars side was John Hastings with 20, whilst Kevin Pietersen was bowled first ball. Handscomb currently has an incredible career average of 171 and strike rate of 142.5, albeit in just 8 innings, and will look to showcase his considerable talent this season at the County Ground. 

Michael Klinger

The second Australian overseas player for Gloucestershire this season led his Perth Scorchers side to a second consecutive Big Bash League title, top scoring in the tournament in the process with 326 runs. The Australian opener also scored a century against a Melbourne Renegades side boasting the likes of Aaron Finch, Dwayne Bravo and Andre Russell. Last year in the t20 Blast, Klinger was 2nd on the Gloucestershire runscorers list with 298 and averaged 27 along with a strike rate of 111. 

James Fuller

The hard-hitting bowling all-rounder has a notable strike rate in t20s of 151. An indication into his batting style could be seen through the fact that he has hit more sixes than fours in his 19 t20 innings to date. As a bowler, in 33 games he has claimed 47 wickets at an impressive average of 20.06 and an economy rate of 8.33. Fuller only played 3 games in 2014 but still managed to pick up 7 wickets with a best of 4-32 in the opening game against Somerset.

(Tom Hampton answering as many t20-related questions as he can in 1 minute)

Key departures

Alex Gidman

The Gloucestershire stalwart has changed his t20 settings for the first time since making his debut for the Bristol side in 2003 after he moved to local rivals Worcestershire. The 33-year-old scored 236 runs last year at an average of 16.85 whilst striking at 114 in the 14 innings he played. His experience and quality will be sorely missed this summer.

Will Gidman sporting his new colours
for the forthcoming t20 Blast
season (PHOTO: Richard
Heathcote/Getty Images Sport)

Will Gidman

The brother of Alex moved counties at the same time as his older sibling, moving north to Nottinghamshire. The 30-year-old all-rounder was instrumental in Gloucestershire's limited successes last season, contributing heavily with both bat and ball. In the t20 Blast, he struck 76 runs in 5 innings with a strike rate of 129 whilst picking up 5 wickets at 19.40 with a miserly economy rate of 6.92. 

Graeme McCarter

The Irish international was Gloucestershire's leading wicket taker in last year's t20 Blast with 16, although he was released at the end of the season. He picked up his best return of 5-35 in an enthralling encounter at Hove, where he took three wickets in the final over to ensure Gloucestershire defended their total and win by 4 runs. He achieved an admirable average of 21.56 but was also on the expensive side, going at 9.07 an over.