James steps down as Glamorgan captain

Steve James has stepped down as captain of Glamorgan after failing to recover from a long-standing injury to his knee. He will be replaced by Robert Croft.

James, 35, underwent surgery earlier this season, from which it was hoped he would make a good recovery. However, the problem was much more serious than was first thought and he faces a further operation which will rule him out for the remainder of the summer.

"I'm still struggling following the operation I had at the beginning of the season and the advice I have been given is that I need this particular operation in order to give me the best opportunity of playing again," James explained. "The prognosis is pretty good, though obviously I am under no illusions about it taking a lot of time and work on my part."

"Having made the decision to go for the operation I think it was inevitable that I'd have to step down as captain. It's only right that if I'm not available someone else takes over the mantle."

James took over as captain in 2001 and led Glamorgan to the National League Division One title last summer.