Gidman apologies for Gloucestershire's shortcomings against Somerset
Gloucestershire captain Alex Gidman issued an apology to the county's supporters in the wake of humiliating defeat to arch rivals Somerset at Bristol.
The Sabres handed out a comprehensive eight-wicket thrashing in a one-sided Pro-40 League derby at Nevil Road, the speed of their success rendering the floodlights superfluous.
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Having seen his side bowled out for 116 inside 29 overs in front of a crowd of more than 3,000, Gidman was in no mood to offer excuses.
In a brutally honest assessment, Gidman, admitted: "Our supporters deserved far better than that.
"I feel sorry for the members and other people who have backed us so well throughout the year. They've turned out in their numbers to be entertained and we've under-achieved.
"There was no blame attached to the wicket, we simply failed to apply ourselves individually at the start of our innings. This was our final one-day game of the season in Bristol and the last thing we wanted was to sign off like this against our biggest rivals."
Even by the standards of Gloucestershire's batting, which has been notoriously inconsistent this season, this was a poor performance.
Gidman won the toss, elected to bat first on a benign pitch and then saw his side lose three wickets in the opening two overs to set the tone for what followed.
Only Jon Lewis and Steve Adshead offered any semblance of resistance, adding 50 for the eighth wicket, as Gloucestershire were dismissed for a wholly inadequate score.
Somerset's batsmen then rubbed salt into open wounds, racing to victory in 18.4 overs with Marcus Trescothick smashing a quick-fire 80 from 61 balls to complete the home side's misery.
"It's pretty tough to take when you lose a game like that," conceded Gidman. "It's hard to put into words and difficult to explain where that performance came from. We put it down as a one-off when Sussex beat us easily last Sunday, but for it to happen again so soon afterwards is bitterly disappointing.
"It's hard to explain why we're batting so well in the County Championship and struggling so badly in the one-day game. No-one was really got out, we all contributed to our own downfall."
"We really wanted to win the Pro-40 in its final year and that's not going to happen now. We're too far behind and don't have enough games left."
5 Comments
by nikki, bristol
Friday, August 14 2009, 1:34PM
“I've got to admit, the cricket from the 'Blues Brothers' guys outside the gates after the game was WAY more entertaining than that from the so say Gloucestershire professionals!!”
by Martin, Nearby
Friday, August 14 2009, 1:17PM
“I've seen worse than this. I've seen England bowled out for 51 and just over 100 recently. And that's supposedly the best 11 in the country.”
by wibble, Backward Square Leg
Friday, August 14 2009, 10:54AM
“After the thrills of the 20/20 game earlier in the season between these two sides this was a massive let down to everyone.
The crowd who paid good money.
The viewers watching on Sky.
The club having the bars empty two hours early (3,000 people drink a lot of beer in two hours)
At the start of the season there was a zip and energy in the side both batting and fielding and the team were winning one day games at home.
This then drifted to narrowly losing at home, then to point where Glamorgan fans are singing in jest 'Can you hit it off the square' as the batsman dobbed it around for over after over.
Last night though for people watching games in Bristol it was shocking, I'd say rock bottom although who knows with this lot they may even have a worse game in them.
No zip, no energy, no pride no nothing.
The one and only consolation last night was that it was a glorious summer evening perfect for a game of cricket. Shame we never got to see one.”
by clive, south-glos
Friday, August 14 2009, 10:08AM
“Hodnott-Spearman why have they not been given another chance on that performance they can do no worse”
by I,R KITTEH, Bristol
Friday, August 14 2009, 9:10AM
“Utter, utter, utter rubbish. A team that seems bereft of any will to play properly. Its the non members that where fleeced of £19 to watch a team that seemed not to care that I feel sorry for. Not the best way to expand our fan base and get some money in..
How does Ali keep getting in the team? Gidman you're a rubbish capt and Bracewell you need to actually coach.”