Chris Liddle is set to make his home Specsavers County Championship debut for Gloucestershire in the match against Leicestershire, starting tomorrow (Friday).

The 33-year-old seamer joined the club for the start of last season, but featured in the team only once in a T20 match against Sussex at Bristol.

Liddle’s form in the warm-up games for the new campaign earned him a place in the opening Championship fixture against Kent at Canterbury last weekend.

And, although that ended in heavy defeat, head coach Richard Dawson is ready to show faith in his players by naming an unchanged side against Leicestershire.

“Chris bowled well in the Kent game and that could be said for all our seamers,” said Dawson.

“We underperformed with the bat, but against a very strong attack, who put us under a lot of pressure.

“If it was our best team a week ago, then the same applies now. It is far to early to be thinking about major changes.”

Phil Mustard will again captain Gloucestershire in the absence of Gareth Roderick, who has spent much of the build-up to the season suffering from sickness.

“Gareth is on the mend now, but he has had very little cricket,” said Dawson. “We would like him to get some second XI games under his belt.

“Phil handled our bowling attack very well at Canterbury and will continue as skipper while Gareth gets some practice in the field as well as with the bat.”

Chris Dent got runs in the first innings against Kent, but Gloucestershire’s stand-out performer was paceman Liam Norwell, who finished with match figures of eight for 105.

Dawson said: “Chris played extremely well in testing conditions. The ball seamed around and there was really good bounce in the pitch for early season.

“Liam’s performance should certainly give him confidence. He bowled really well and hopefully set the tone for his season.

“Overall we didn’t play well enough against Kent and there were no excuses. We need to bounce back quickly.”

Academy seamer Ollie Currell is added to the eleven on duty at Canterbury, but is likely to act as 12th man.

Leicestershire were also comprehensively beaten in their opening Championship fixture, losing by ten wickets to Nottinghamshire at Grace Road.

While Gloucestershire slumped to 61 all out in their second innings against Kent, having been 36 for nine, Leicestershire were 60 for nine in their second innings against Notts before being dismissed for 81.

Gloucestershire (from): C.Bancroft, C.Dent, W.Tavare, G.van Buuren, G.Hankins, P.Mustard capt & wkt, J.Taylor, C.Miles, D.Payne, L.Norwell, C.Liddle, O.Currell.