Glamorgan: Maynard hoping for same again despite losing Morris (17 April 1998)

17 April 1998

Glamorgan: Maynard hoping for same again despite losing Morris

By Edward Bevan

DURING the past 10 years three teams have won the County Championship in successive seasons, and Matthew Maynard believes his squad - despite Hugh Morris' retirement and coach Duncan Fletcher's decision to take a year's rest from cricket - is good enough to emulate last year's success.

"It will be a tough task to defend the title," concedes Maynard, "but we will continue to adopt last year's competitive approach, and I am confident we will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season."

Despite Morris' absence there is an abundance of talent in Glamorgan's batting line-up, but Maynard agrees that "you cannot replace Hugh's contributions and experience at a stroke; just as he guided Steve James through his formative years it will now be Steve's turn to help the young batsmen competing at the top of the order".

Glamorgan, who begin the defence of their title against Gloucestershire at Bristol today, gained more batting points than anyone last season and will again aim to score their runs quickly to give their bowlers enough time to dismiss the opposition.

James led the way last year with 1,775 runs at 68.26 and another productive season could earn him the England call-up which eluded him last season. Alun Evans, a former MCC Young Cricketer of the Year, will probably be given the opportunity to open with James though Maynard might consider Adrian Dale, who has plenty of experience batting at No 3.

There should also be no shortage of runs from the captain, who led by example during Glamorgan's championship-winning season; his two memorable centuries at Worcester and Taunton last year epitomising the brilliance of his strokeplay.

After heading the averages for the previous three seasons, Tony Cottey struggled for runs last season but he believes this was only a temporary loss of form and his experience will be invaluable in the middle order.

Among the younger batsmen challenging for a first-team place Michael Powell made an immediate impact with an undefeated double century on his debut at The Parks, while Wayne Law, who spent a year on the Lord's groundstaff, also scored heavily for the second XI.

Glamorgan have a bowling attack capable of exploiting any pitch. Waqar Younis, an outstanding success during his first season, and Steve Watkin, the most consistent seamer in the championship over the past five years, compare favourably with any new-ball attack in the country.

Darren Thomas, Gary Butcher, Owen Parkin and Simon Jones, son of former England fast bowler Jeff, provide the back up in the seam department which will be supplemented by the spin of Robert Croft and Dean Cosker, who, although only 20, has been involved in a championship winning team and an England A tour during the past 12 months.

Following Colin Metson's retirement the club have signed Ismail Dawood, the former Worcester and England Under-19 wicketkeeper, who will complete with Adrian Shaw for the first-team place.

The only blemish in Glamorgan's recent improvement has been their failure to qualify for a Lord's final since Middlesex beat them in the 1977 Gillette Cup final. "We will need to concentrate fully on the one-day competitions this season," says Maynard, "especially as there will be two divisions next year."

John Derrick succeeds Fletcher, who hopes to return next year, as first-team coach while the club, who recently announced a record profit for 1997, are developing their headquarters at Sophia Gardens with work starting soon on a new indoor cricket school.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)