By Graham Clutton

GLOUCESTERSHIRE are keeping their fingers crossed for an improved weather forecast and a victory in Cardiff tomorrow night when they take on fellow NatWest T20 Blast quarter final hopefuls Glamorgan at the Swalec Stadium.

Two victories in their last four games, including last week's five wicket success against Hampshire at Cheltenham, has left coach Richard Dawson's side with a decent chance of qualifying from the South Group.

Glamorgan too will be keen to beat the expected rain and book their place in the knockout stage on the back of a similar performance to the one they produced when the sides met in the competition, in Bristol, earlier in the season.

On that occasion it took an unbeaten 101 from Jacques Rudolph to guide Glamorgan into a position that not even Michael Klinger could alter. The Australian opener struck 104 not out from 63 balls before Glamorgan ran out winners by 19 runs.

Tomorrow's game comes on the back of Gloucestershire's successful Cheltenham Festival during which they not only beat Hampshire in the T20, but secured back to back Championship wins at the College ground for the first time in 17 years.

The fact was certainly not lost on Michael Klinger, who hopes his side can continue their rich vein of form in tomorrow's game in Cardiff and the upcoming Royal London Cup.

“It was a good two weeks in Cheltenham with some decent results for us. In fact we were unlucky not get a clean sweep. Now we need to push on,” said Klinger.

“We've had a few days off and that's been great, But we are back in the middle tomorrow for a game that is huge for both sides. Glamorgan don't need to rely on other results as much as us, but they will want to finish on a high and make sure they are in the last eight.

“It's going to be a great battle. As we have seen this season, they have got a side full of match-winners, like Rudolph who scored a century against us earlier in the summer. We will have to play well to win it.”

Unfortunately, injuries have come at the wrong time for coach Richard Dawson. As well as Hamish Marshall, who faces another month on the sidelines after aggravating a torn calf muscle, Ian Cockbain has been ruled out with a fractured wrist and now, Peter Handscomb looks set to miss the game.

“We have had to contend with some injuries and we will have to contend with the same problem again,” said Klinger. “However, we do have players who can come in and do a good job for us.”