Gloucestershire head coach Mark Alleyne has identified opener Ben Charlesworth and middle-order batter Ollie Price as pivotal players for the club’s aspirations in the 2025 season. With promotion from Division Two of the County Championship as the target, Alleyne is counting on strong performances from both to drive the team forward.
Both Charlesworth, 25, and Price, 24, hail from Oxford and featured in all 14 Championship matches last season. Each showcased their batting prowess with two centuries apiece. Charlesworth also demonstrated remarkable consistency, passing 50 five additional times, while Price reached fifty on three other occasions.
Charlesworth, a former England Under-19 international, amassed 914 runs last year, including a career-best 160 against Lancashire at Cheltenham College, while averaging just below 40. He also reintegrated his bowling into his game after recovering from a shoulder injury, claiming 16 wickets at an average of under 27.
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Price enjoyed a standout summer in 2023, scoring 1,449 runs across all formats, which earned him a place on the England Lions tour of India. His highlight was a career-high 253 against Lancashire, making him only the third Gloucestershire batsman to record a double century against that county. In the Championship, he scored 890 runs at an average of 37, and contributed 12 wickets with his off-spin at an average of 45.08.
Both Charlesworth and Price played crucial roles in Gloucestershire’s 2024 T20 Blast triumph, with Price famously hitting the winning six in the final. Alleyne expects both players to build on their impressive performances.
“Ben Charlesworth has shown he has the temperament and skill to score big at the top of the order. Now fully bowling fit, he offers valuable support with the ball as a ‘golden arm’ in the bowling attack,” said Alleyne.
“Meanwhile, Ollie Price is progressing well but still has room to grow as an all-rounder. He’s been working hard on his off-spin during the off-season, and I believe his development with both bat and ball will be key for us.”
Gloucestershire will again be captained by Australian Cameron Bancroft this season. Bancroft ended his domestic campaign with Western Australia ranked third in runs scored, despite his team’s struggles. Last summer for Gloucestershire, Bancroft averaged 46.82, accumulating 796 runs in 10 Championship games, with a top score of 176 against Derbyshire.
“Batting conditions were challenging in Australia this year, with average scores around 250, but Cam’s ability to stay at the crease and accumulate runs reflects his excellent attitude and application,” Alleyne noted.
“We’re thrilled to have him back leading the side. For me, consistency is the hallmark of a great leader. Cam prepares diligently, manages his recovery well, and sets a strong example on and off the field, making it easy for the team to rally behind him.”
With Alleyne’s confidence in Charlesworth, Price, and Bancroft, Gloucestershire aims to build on their recent successes and mount a strong promotion challenge this summer.