Gloucestershire hit by injuries to key players

'Jack' Russell is to miss the start of the new season with a slipped disc. The 37-year-old former England 'keeper is expected to miss all the group games in the Benson and Hedges Cup and the first three Championship games.

Further bad news for Gloucestershire, the defending champions of all three one-day trophies, comes with the news that Mike Smith, their left-arm opening bowler, is also to miss the start of the season with a groin strain.