Resources could undo Glamorgan unless Colin Ingram can fire again

T20 BLAST PREVIEW: Fakhar Zaman is due in Cardiff this summer but will that be enough to challenge in a stocked South Division?

Director of cricket: Mark Wallace 

Captain: Colin Ingram

Overseas: Fakhar Zaman

Last season: 6th in South Division

How did they do last year?

The South Wales county have never reached a Twenty20 Cup final but they will wonder how 2018 wasn't their first. They were very much in the box seat thanks a run of four wins in a row, including a thrilling two-run success over Gloucestershire after two wickets for Timm van der Gugten's wicket from the final over. But defeats in each of their final three games, including to fifth place Surrey, saw them miss out on the top four.

^{Will Shaun Marsh recover in time to play?}

Who are their key players?

Colin Ingram: Only two players to play 11 matches or more in last season's T20 Blast finished with a better average than the South African, who smashed 430 runs at 53.75 including three half-centuries. But it was his strike-rate of 164 which made him a real asset. Only concern might be that he hasn't played any cricket for over two months but with four centuries in this format to his name his pedigree needs real respect.

Fakhar Zaman: The extravagant Pakistan batsman has struggled for form during the recent World Cup but on his day offers explosive potential at the top of the order. Glamorgan will be hoping to see him at his fluent best and not his nervy worst.

Shaun Marsh: If and when he does become available after suffering a broken arm in the nets while with Australia, he will be a real asset with the bat, averaging close to 40 in domestic T20s. Only featured twice last season so will be desperate to contribute his in second campaign.

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What are their biggest strengths?

Ingram and Craig Meschede have the capacity to score runs at a rapid rate at the top.

^{Is Fakhar Zaman's arrival enough for Glamorgan?}

Where might they have a weakness?

This is not a side brimming with superstar quality of able to lure T20 specialists. Marsh is a big deal but only had a watching brief at the Indian Premier League this year. In a South Division with some of the strongest teams in the competition, they could be left for dust in some departments though few will be keen on a trip to the always tricky Sophia Gardens.

Chances of reaching Finals Day?

Plenty rests on Ingram but asking him to repeat his 2018 heroics feels unrealistic. The mercurial talents of Zaman will be cruical. It could be a long middle of the season.

Strongest XI (with T20 Player Index ratings): Craig Meschede (355), Shaun Marsh (316), Colin Ingram (23), Kiran Carlson (524), Chris Cooke (340), Billy Root (663), David Lloyd (570), Graham Wagg (304), Mitchell Marsh (365), Timm van der Gugten (268), Michael Hogan (278)

Fixtures: Jul 18 - Somerset (h), Jul 19 - Glamorgan (a), Jul 26 - Kent (h), Jul 25 - Middlesex (h), Aug 1 - Gloucestershire (h), Aug 2 - Hampshire (a), Aug 6 - Sussex (a), Aug 9 - Essex (h), Aug 11 - Surrey (h), Aug 14 - Kent (a), Aug 16 - Essex (a), Aug 24 - Somerset (a), Aug 26 - Sussex (a), Aug 30 - Hampshire (h)

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