ALEX Gidman believes the College Ground at Cheltenham is the "ideal venue" for Gloucestershire to take on Yorkshire in today's Clydesdale Bank 40 Group B summit meeting.

And the captain is urging his team-mates to make home advantage count in their quest to pip the Tykes for a place in the semi-finals.

Gloucestershire boast an enviable record in one-day cricket matches played at the Cheltenham Festival, winning 20 of their last 23 fixtures.

Looking ahead to a contest that will determine who controls Group B, Gidman said: "I could not have asked for this game to be played at a better venue.

"Our record in limited-overs games at Cheltenham is excellent and we always feel confident of beating anyone we play at the Festival.

"If you asked me where I would most want to play a game of this importance, I would say Cheltenham"

Gloucestershire are level on points with the white rose county at the top of the group, but Yorkshire have a game in hand. Gidman likened Gloucestershire's advantage at Cheltenham to Yorkshire's traditional prowess at Scarborough. He said: "We have to make home advantage count. Yorkshire always feel very much at home whenever they play at Scarborough.

"Well, it's no different when we play at Cheltenham. There will be a big crowd and a wonderful atmosphere and we have to channel those things into a strong performance.

"Our guys love playing at Cheltenham and it seems to inspire us and bring out the best in us. Hopefully, it will help us to beat Yorkshire."

Beaten on three occasions in one-day games at the College Ground in the past decade, the Tykes will be wary of alien conditions and opponents who have won four of their five games so far in the 40-over competition.

Gidman recalled: "We seem to get the better of Yorkshire whenever we play them at the Festival and I remember one game a few years ago, when we took them apart.

"Hopefully, that will still be in the back of their minds and will give us a psychological edge."

But Gloucestershire's skipper warned against complacency and insisted Yorkshire will provide a test as tough as anything his team have faced so far this season.

"They are a very good side and have a match-winner, in Tino Best," said Gidman.

"Best is always a tricky customer and our batsmen will have to come up with a strategy to play him."

Gloucestershire (probable): Porterfield, Gidman, Franklin, Marshall, Taylor, Dent, Snell, Lewis, Banerjee, Hussain, Kirby.