Klinger continues red-hot England form

Michael Klinger’s excellent run of form overseas has continued, with the Australian leading Gloucestershire back to the top of the England domestic T20 competition table with an unbeaten half-century.

Klinger’s 56 not out helped Gloucestershire cruise to a nine-wicket win over Glamorgan and the knock sees him remain the competition's leading run-scorer.

Chasing the hosts’ 6-119, Gloucestershire lost opener Hamish Marshall (4) early but it was the only hiccup as Ian Cockbain (53 not out) joined Klinger to see the visitors home in 16.1 overs.

Gloucestershire moved two points clear of their Welsh rivals on the table, having played two more matches.

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Earlier, Glamorgan openers David Lloyd and Mark Wallace put on 42 runs for the first wicket but it was tough going otherwise, with only a late burst from Graham Wagg (32 not out off 23 balls) giving the hosts a late boost.

"I thought we did really well to keep it to 120. Our spinners bowled really well in the middle," Gloucestershire batsman Ian Cockbain, second to Klinger amongst the tournament's leading run-scorers, told BBC Radio Bristol.

"We had a good idea of what the pitch was going to be like from the Glamorgan innings. It gave us a bit of a heads up and a chance to get a game plan together.

"We had a good powerplay and got off to a bit of a flyer which was probably a key thing with the new ball, and the ball coming on a bit quicker than through the middle."

In the County Championship, Australia ODI batsman George Bailey is in action for Middlesex against Chris Rogers’ Somerset outfit.

Middlesex made the most of a green pitch in Taunton, bowling Somerset out for 236 on day one of their Division One match.

Having made a late decision to switch from a dry looking strip to the greener wicket, Somerset were asked to bat first but made a strong start, helped by 57 from Rogers.

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But when Rogers departed Middlesex struck back, claiming the last eight wickets for 121 runs, with Harry Podmore claiming 4-54 in his Middlesex debut.

The visitors reached 1-51 at stumps, with Bailey yet to bat.

"The best way for us to win this game is to back our seam attack against their slightly inexperienced attack," Rogers told somersetcountycc.co.uk.  

"They didn’t bowl so well before lunch but then they came back afterwards and bowled really well.  That is what I expect us to do and make it very hard for them.

"We didn’t bowl well this evening but if we do bowl well on that wicket then we can bowl them out for about 150. It’s that kind of wicket."

"I would have taken (a total of 253) before we started because there is 20 mm of grass on that wicket.

"It’s sporting and there’s enough there for the bowlers if you put it in the right areas, so our chance is there tomorrow when we get the ball in our hands.  

"I think we are in a pretty good position with runs on the board."