Championship Essentials: Glamorgan v Kent

Match times, streaming information, tickets and travel, team news, head-to-head record, weather forecast, prediction, and everything else you need to know ahead of the latest round of the County Championship...

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Fixture: Glamorgan v Kent

Venue: Sophia Gardens, Cardiff

Dates: Thursday, April 29, 2021 - Sunday, May 2, 2021

Start time: 11am 

What's the lowdown?

In the Championship's third week contrasting losses befell these two sides who are both yet to win a game.

Glamorgan were on top for most of their match against Northamptonshire and, with skipper Chris Cooke having declared and set their opponents a target of 355 to win on the final day, were firm favourites going into the fourth innings. A stunning 185 from Ricardo Vasconcelos denied them, but a defeat with plenty of positives for the Welsh outfit, not least Cooke's 193 runs across his two innings.

An innings defeat for Kent at home to Lancashire was all the more galling considering the Red Rose were 190 for 6 at one stage in their first and only innings. Centuries from No.8 and No.9, Luke Wood and Danny Lamb, took Glenn Chapple's side to a commanding total of 525 and with Kent responding by wilting to 169 all out the game was as good as done. 

Who's in form?

Whilst Cooke led from the front with the bat in his side's last fixture, No.4 Kiran Carlson has been Glamorgan's chief run-scorer and has only failed to pass fifty once this season, scoring twin centuries against Sussex in round two. With 427 runs at 85.40 so far this term, the 22-year-old is an outside bet for 1,000 runs before the end of May. 

Daniel Bell-Drummond found some form with a battling 114 against Lancashire as Kent followed on. Meanwhile, Darren Stevens continues to defy the sands of time and is his side's leading run-scorer, with 216 at 54, and wicket-taker, with eight at 25.50 – plus ça change. 

Last five first-class matches (most recent first)

Glamorgan: LLDDL

Kent: LLDWW

Head-to-head first-class record

Total matches: 105

Glamorgan wins: 29

Kent wins: 40

Draws: 36

What's the team news?

Glamorgan: Welsh government quarantine rules mean Marnus Labuschagne is available as one of four changes made by Glamorgan for the visit of Kent. Temporary replacement Andrew Balbirnie drops out, while Tim van de Gugten, Andrew Salter and Lukas Carey all return.

Michael Neser has also arrived but is not being considered for selection due to the added strain caused by long-distance travel on fast bowlers. Dan Douthwaite misses out with a heel issue and Jamie McIlroy and Ruaidhri Smith remain sidelined.

Glamorgan squad: Chris Cooke (C), Lukas Carey, Kiran Carlson, Joe Cooke, James Harris, Michael Hogan, Marnus Labuschagne, David Lloyd, Billy Root, Andrew Salter Callum Taylor, Timm van der Gutgen, James Weighell

Kent: Harry Podmore, Tim Groenewald, Grant Stewart and Imran Qayyum are all missing through injury. Nathan Gilchrist and Marcus O'Riordan are included for the first time this season. In the absence of Sam Billings who remains at the IPL, Daniel Bell-Drummond will skipper the side.

Kent squad: Daniel Bell-Drummond (c), Jordan Cox, Zak Crawley, Miguel Cummins, Joe Denly, Nathan Gilchrist, Fred Klaassen, Heino Kuhn, Jack Leaning, Matt Milnes, Marcus O'Riordan, Ollie Robinson, Darren Stevens

Latest Glamorgan news: Click here

Latest Kent news: Click here

Who's said what?

After run-outs with the Glamorgan second XI, Joe Cooke is thrilled to have the opportunity to impress with the senior side - and learn from their illustrious overseas import.

"Last year was a bit of a learning curve on how to score runs in first-class cricket and about myself, but I think I’m in a better place to succeed this time around," he said. "I’ve worked hard in the winter with Matt (Maynard) and the coaches on my technique so hopefully, that will pay off.

"Marnus (Labuschagne) is an incredible player and it will be an amazing experience to play with him and I’ll learn as much as I can."

Despite losing two of their opening three matches, Heino Kuhn insists Kent can still go all the way and claim their first outright County Championship title since 1978.

"We can still win this competition," he said. "It’s a long way away but we have to start this week – we can’t wait any longer. We can’t make the same mistakes again.

"Walks (Matt Walker) and the coaching staff are very positive, you have to mention when there is a pattern happening and there are negatives but we’re looking forward.

“We can’t fall too much behind. They’re all good sides so we need a win, and by getting that first win you get your season on the go.”

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What's the weather forecast?

A sunny start on day one is about as good as it will get in Cardiff, with rain scheduled to interrupt the last two sessions of days two and three. With temperatures just touching double digits, jumpers will be a must at an overcast Sophia Gardens.

Keep up to date with the MetOffice’s rolling forecast for Cardiff: Click here

How do I follow the match?

TV/stream: Glamorgan will offer live coverage of the match via their website: Click here

All County Championship matches are also available via the ECB's central hub: Click here

The matches can also be viewed on mobile via the ECB app.

Radio: BBC Local Radio and the BBC Sport website will carry ball-by-ball radio commentary of the game. 

Digital: The Cricketer will carry live scorecards and daily updates from every County Championship match in 2021, as well as the latest breaking news from around the counties and exclusive features. Visit our County Hub for more. 

Going to the game?

Tickets: This match is to be played behind closed doors owing to Covid-19 restrictions. 

Travel: Not applicable owing to Covid-19 restrictions.

Prediction?

With a bowling arsenal that lacks penetration and leans too heavily on the 44-year-old Stevens, Kent are in a bit of a rut. Bolstered by the arrival of Labuschagne, you'd expect a Glamorgan batting unit, which has already delivered five Championship centuries this season, to fill its boots. With rain about a stalemate is on the cards. A draw.

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