Gloucestershire sweat on duo

28 June 2008

Alex Gidman is hopeful to be fit for Gloucs © Getty Images

Gloucestershire are sweating on the fitness of batsmen Kadeer Ali and Alex Gidman ahead of their forthcoming LV County Championship Division Two fixture with Warwickshire.

Ali is hopeful of shaking off an ankle sprain whilst Gidman is also confident after making good progress since injuring his own ankle earlier this season.

Batsman Craig Spearman however definitely misses out and is set to undergo surgery after fracturing his right cheekbone in the Twenty20 Cup game against Northamptonshire on June 17.

The New Zealander retired hurt after a delivery from Johannes van der Wath struck him between the peak of the helmet and the visor and is due to be operated on, as well as an assessment on his eye and vision, next week.

Seamer Jon Lewis is expected to be included in the starting line-up after resting a sore shoulder, whilst David Brown is also in line to feature after coming through an MCC game unscathed following a hamstring injury.

Ian Bell will play for Warwickshire as he looks to regain his touch in the longer version of the game after opening the batting for England during the NatWest series.

The news will come as a relief for Warwickshire as both Darren Maddy and Ian Westwood have been ruled out with hand injuries.

Seamer James Anyon, who recently signed a new two year contract extension, is unavilable due to an ankle injury, paving the way for New Zealander Chris Martin to make his first appearance in the championship this season.