RICHARD DAWSON insists Gloucestershire have the necessary personnel to make a real fist of the NatWest T20 Blast this season.

Tomorrow night’s opening group game with Middlesex at Bristol will be Dawson’s first in the competition as head coach at the County Ground and he is pledging to make home matches nights to remember for supporters.

The addition of Australian Big Bash centurion Peter Handscomb and powerful New Zealand all-rounder Kieran Noema-Barnett to the squad should ensure more boundaries.

And after a couple of group games Gloucestershire will also be boosted by the return of Michael Klinger, the only other batsman apart from Handscomb to make a hundred in the latest Big Bash tournament.

Dawson said: “T20 is all about providing excitement for the spectators. We aim to play with energy and enthusiasm, allied to smart cricket.

“That’s what I will be aiming to get across to our players. I see no reason why we cannot progress through the group and it is the sort of competition where if you can gain momentum anything is possible.

“We will have a new look side, with Kieran Noema-Barnett and Peter Handscomb adding valuable one-day experience, and have added power in our middle order batting.

“Middlesex will be a tough first test, but we are ready and looking forward to it.”

Handscomb, who has already contributed to LV=County Championship wins away to Essex and Lancashire, can’t wait to make his T20 debut for Gloucestershire.

“Playing in the Big Bash was amazing," he said. "I think the experience of appearing in front of big crowds and not being intimidated by the situation is one of the main things you learn.

“It was great to rub shoulders with some of the world’s best and hopefully I can take something of that experience into the matches with Gloucestershire.”

Spinners Jack Taylor and Tom Smith could both play a part against Middlesex. Ian Cockbain will be captain in the absence of Klinger.