Gloucestershire coach, John Bracewell, has hit back at critics of his record-breaking side.

Gloucestershire crushed a strong Yorkshire side by 97 runs to reach their fifth successive Lord's final. All have been won, as was the one-day league last season, but still Bracewell feels that his team don't receive the respect they deserve.

"I think this is a hell of a performance with the pressure which has been laid on the team in the past week," Bracewell commented.

"Of course, it is hurtful when you hear that domestic cricket does not mean anything. We are not out to prove any points to anybody but ourselves. But the players are human, and it does hurt when people say your domestic cricket counts for nothing.

"How else can you bring in new cricketers when 90% of your players are said to be not worthy?

It had been suggested in some quarters that Gloucestershire are only successful on slow, low wickets where their 'bits and pieces' cricketers can inhibit other teams.

But having beaten Yorkshire in their own back yard, and boasting an unprecedented record in one-day cricket, Bracewell feels that his team have earned some respect.

"I do not think we will ever silence our detractors," Bracewell sighed. "They are entitled to their opinions. But we have shown people many times we are capable of playing on all surfaces.

"It was almost as if they wanted us to be beaten away from home (against Yorkshire) just to put us in our place," he continued. "But the guys stepped forward and proved themselves again, as individuals and as a collective.

"I hope we can show them again at Lord's in the final against Surrey next month. I defy anybody to say we do not deserve the success after five finals out of five, but that is what a lot of people have said."

Mark Alleyne also pointed out that Gloucestershire's success had not been rewarded with international call-ups; a fact that he finds frustrating and unjust.

"A couple of years ago they (the selectors) said 'if you play in a successful side you will get a chance'. I told the guys that. But they won't believe anything I am saying at the moment, because obviously that is not happening," Alleyne revealed.

"I am having to use different methods of motivation with the guys now. But I am sure it will come, some of the guys will get full international recognition."

© CricInfo