'Guerrilla' cricket hits Bristol

Captain Jon Lewis led the Gladiators in Bristol yesterday © Getty Images

Gloucestershire Gladiators pulled off an audacious publicity stunt for the Twenty20 Cup by playing an impromptu game against unsuspecting workers and children on their lunch break in Bristol.

The Gladiators adopted the hit and run tactics of 'guerrilla cricketers' as they turned up unannounced at Bristol’s, Millennium Square yesterday lunchtime and quickly set up the cricket stumps for an impromptu game.

The Gladiators, in full Twenty20 kit, piled out of their Mitsubishi Jeeps near the At-Bristol science centre and soon acquired a crowd of excited volunteers to face the bowling of Steve Kirby and Jon Lewis.

The office workers and school children demonstrated some impressive batting skills, hitting their shots into the nearby water features. The awaiting Gladiator players in the field did not put them off as they smashed the ball towards Hamish Marshall, Marcus North, Chris Taylor, Anthony Ireland and Alex Gidman.

After an hour of cricket the players packed up their kit and as quickly as it had started the players had run off into their Mitsubishi Jeeps and sped off.

A club spokesperson said: “This was a great event, we are really pleased we could return to do this again after the success of last years event and are very grateful for At-Bristol for providing such an iconic location. Who knows where guerilla cricket will turn up next time.

“This is all part of our campaign to introduce those who are new to cricket, and existing cricket fans, to the exciting Twenty20 matches at Bristol. It is really important to take the game on the road as it gives us an opportunity to inform people about Twenty20 in a fun and exciting way. I am sure those who took part proudly walked back into work with tales of what they had done during their lunch break.

“The fun, fast paced attitude of the guerrilla cricket match is a great reflection of the action-packed carnival atmosphere of Twenty20 matches and we are hoping for some big crowds this year.”

Alex Gidman's batting talents will be on display for Gloucestershire in the Twenty20 Cup this season

The Gladiators' first home match of the 2008 Twenty20 Cup is on Friday 13th June against Warwickshire Bears. Twenty20 cricket is a relatively new but very popular form of cricket with many of the home matches attracting sell out crowds.

The three-hour game is a fun action packed version of cricket which is great for all the family and those who are new to cricket. The gates open at 3.30pm and matches start at 5.30pm (except Sunday 15th June, a 2pm start), making it a perfect opportunity to go with friends straight from work or as a family straight from school. There are plenty of entertainment and food outlets around the ground for every taste.

Advance tickets for the five Gladiators home Twenty20 fixtures can be purchased at the advance prices from £11 for adults and £5 for under-16s. Mini season tickets, for all five home matches for only £39 for adults and £19 for under 16s (in advance by 10th June). You can purchase tickets by:

Buying online at www.glosccc.co.uk

Visiting the club ticket office at the County Ground

Calling the club ticket hotline on 0117 9108010