Interview: Gloucestershire CCC batsman and ex-New Zealand international Hamish Marshall

The former New Zealand international batsman, who followed up his 76 in the County Championship opener against Surrey with 64 against Essex on Tuesday, expects a vast improvement from the side that finished rock bottom of Division Two last season without a single victory.

With the return of John Bracewell as Director of Cricket there is renewed optimism around the county and Marshall feels they could push for honours.

“Silverware is always a goal,” he said.

“In four-day cricket last year we finished last so we certainly want to improve a lot on that and why not push for promotion.

“We’ve got some good skills in the side and a new overseas player in James Franklin.

“In the twenty20 two seasons ago we finished second and we’ve still got the bulk of those players.

“It’s just a case of when you get opportunities to win games you need to take them and get yourself at the top of the table and keep the pressure on the teams chasing.”

Gloucestershire have a top six batting line-up to rival most teams in the country but largely failed to live up to their billing last season and Marshall agrees with calls for them to start contributing more runs in this campaign.

“As a batting unit we need to put runs on the board for the bowlers to bowl at and then they’re job is to get 20 wickets,” he said.

“Last year we got into positions where we couldn’t win games and had to save games so we’d like to be more consistent with that and when we get opportunities make the most of them.”

Marshall thinks that all-rounder James Franklin, who he has played with for New Zealand, will also have an impact for Gloucestershire this season.

He said: “If you look at the sides around the world - the Andrew Flintoffs the Andrew Symonds’, and the Jacob Orams, you can balance the side around them so I think Frankie will make a difference in those areas. He’s had a good season so he’s bringing some form with him as well.”