Young talent aiming to fly Welsh flag
ESPNcricinfo previews Glamorgan's prospects for the 2017 season
David Hopps
28-Mar-2017
Aneurin Donald is one of several young batsmen Glamorgan have their hopes invested in • Getty Images
Last season:
Championship: 8th Div 2; NatWest Blast: QF; Royal London Cup: 7th South Group
In:
Out: James Kettleborough, Dewi Penrhyn Jones (both released), Mark Wallace, Dean Cosker (both retired)
Overseas: Jacques Rudolph (SA)
Championship: 8th Div 2; NatWest Blast: QF; Royal London Cup: 7th South Group
In:
Out: James Kettleborough, Dewi Penrhyn Jones (both released), Mark Wallace, Dean Cosker (both retired)
Overseas: Jacques Rudolph (SA)
2016 in a nutshell
Robert Croft's first season as head coach was a difficult affair as Glamorgan finished only one place above the wooden spoonists, Derbyshire, but at least by the end of the season there were a clutch of impressive performances from young players in which to take pride. Aneurin Donald, who struck 15 sixes in his 234 against Derbyshire at Colwyn Bay; Kiran Carlson, who became the youngest Glamorgan century-maker, at 18 years 119 days, when he reached three figures against Essex; and Owen Morgan, who made a maiden first-class hundred as nightwatchman against Worcestershire, were just three whose flashes of individual brilliance brought hope. Glamorgan's best team moments were reserved for the NatWest Blast, in which Colin Ingram struck a record-equalling 29 sixes before Yorkshire ousted them in the quarter-finals.
Robert Croft's first season as head coach was a difficult affair as Glamorgan finished only one place above the wooden spoonists, Derbyshire, but at least by the end of the season there were a clutch of impressive performances from young players in which to take pride. Aneurin Donald, who struck 15 sixes in his 234 against Derbyshire at Colwyn Bay; Kiran Carlson, who became the youngest Glamorgan century-maker, at 18 years 119 days, when he reached three figures against Essex; and Owen Morgan, who made a maiden first-class hundred as nightwatchman against Worcestershire, were just three whose flashes of individual brilliance brought hope. Glamorgan's best team moments were reserved for the NatWest Blast, in which Colin Ingram struck a record-equalling 29 sixes before Yorkshire ousted them in the quarter-finals.
2017 prospects
A young side with a strong Welsh flavour will not lack for loyalty from supporters, but Glamorgan look desperately short of bowling stocks. The veteran Australian Michael Hogan will seek to squeeze out one more good season as he approaches 36, having expressed fears that he has lost some of his zip, but a heavy onus seems to lie upon Netherlands' Timm van der Gugten, who took 56 wickets in his first Championship summer. The absence of two stalwarts, wicketkeeper Mark Wallace and indefatigable left-arm spinner Dean Cosker, will also test resources elsewhere. Top-order batsman Chris Cooke will assume Wallace's wicketkeeping role and Morgan will have a golden opportunity to nail down the left-arm spinner's role. More consistency from Glamorgan's young batsmen should at least help their runs tally - and the fact that Ingram is fit enough this season to play all formats is a huge positive.
A young side with a strong Welsh flavour will not lack for loyalty from supporters, but Glamorgan look desperately short of bowling stocks. The veteran Australian Michael Hogan will seek to squeeze out one more good season as he approaches 36, having expressed fears that he has lost some of his zip, but a heavy onus seems to lie upon Netherlands' Timm van der Gugten, who took 56 wickets in his first Championship summer. The absence of two stalwarts, wicketkeeper Mark Wallace and indefatigable left-arm spinner Dean Cosker, will also test resources elsewhere. Top-order batsman Chris Cooke will assume Wallace's wicketkeeping role and Morgan will have a golden opportunity to nail down the left-arm spinner's role. More consistency from Glamorgan's young batsmen should at least help their runs tally - and the fact that Ingram is fit enough this season to play all formats is a huge positive.
In charge
Jacques Rudolph continues as captain for the third successive season despite a personally disappointing 2016 with the bat, when he averaged only 24.40 in the Championship. He will hope for considerably better results in his 20th season in the first-class game. Croft's priority is to continue his excellent work with Glamorgan's homegrown players. There is just as big a challenge for chief executive Hugh Morris and his marketing team as they seek to build enough enthusiasm for cricket in south Wales to fill their international stadium not just when England visit (or the British Lions as Croft prefers to regard them) but also for NatWest Blast nights. An operating loss of £308,000 in 2016 after considerable debt write downs the previous year illustrates the extent of the task.
Jacques Rudolph continues as captain for the third successive season despite a personally disappointing 2016 with the bat, when he averaged only 24.40 in the Championship. He will hope for considerably better results in his 20th season in the first-class game. Croft's priority is to continue his excellent work with Glamorgan's homegrown players. There is just as big a challenge for chief executive Hugh Morris and his marketing team as they seek to build enough enthusiasm for cricket in south Wales to fill their international stadium not just when England visit (or the British Lions as Croft prefers to regard them) but also for NatWest Blast nights. An operating loss of £308,000 in 2016 after considerable debt write downs the previous year illustrates the extent of the task.
Key player
Cooke missed the last two months of last season with a back injury, which must cause slight misgivings as he prepares to step into the wicketkeeping role vacated by Wallace. Wallace, who ended an 18-year career last month to become a PCA development and welfare manager, made his Glamorgan debut at 17 and went on to become their most successful wicketkeeper-batsman. Cooke, who finished in the top three of Glamorgan's batting averages in all formats, will aim to maintain that form as well as allowing the club to make light of Wallace's absence behind the sticks.
Cooke missed the last two months of last season with a back injury, which must cause slight misgivings as he prepares to step into the wicketkeeping role vacated by Wallace. Wallace, who ended an 18-year career last month to become a PCA development and welfare manager, made his Glamorgan debut at 17 and went on to become their most successful wicketkeeper-batsman. Cooke, who finished in the top three of Glamorgan's batting averages in all formats, will aim to maintain that form as well as allowing the club to make light of Wallace's absence behind the sticks.
Bright young thing
While Glamorgan's young batsmen attract the bulk of the attention, hopes are also high for Lukas Carey after a four-wicket debut against Northants last August. Croft went back to his local club, Pontarddulais, on the outskirts of Swansea to find Carey, whose grandfather Stuart played amateur cricket for Wales. Carey totted up 13 wickets in three first-class matches and Glamorgan, although wary to ask too much at 19, will be eager to see further signs of progress.
While Glamorgan's young batsmen attract the bulk of the attention, hopes are also high for Lukas Carey after a four-wicket debut against Northants last August. Croft went back to his local club, Pontarddulais, on the outskirts of Swansea to find Carey, whose grandfather Stuart played amateur cricket for Wales. Carey totted up 13 wickets in three first-class matches and Glamorgan, although wary to ask too much at 19, will be eager to see further signs of progress.
ESPNcricinfo verdict
Glamorgan's young players have promise, but they will need strong performances from senior men if they are to find the stability in which they can flourish. Twenty years after their Championship win, the county have more modest ambitions. A tough season lies ahead, especially in the Championship.
Glamorgan's young players have promise, but they will need strong performances from senior men if they are to find the stability in which they can flourish. Twenty years after their Championship win, the county have more modest ambitions. A tough season lies ahead, especially in the Championship.
Bet365 odds: Specsavers Championship, Div 2: 16-1; NatWest Blast 20-1; Royal London Cup 25-1
David Hopps is a general editor at ESPNcricinfo @davidkhopps