Who are the key players? How did they do last year? Where are they strong? Where might they be weak? Key questions answered ahead of the new T20 Blast campaign
Coach: Matthew Maynard
Captain: Chris Cooke
Last season: Fifth in Central Group
How did they do last year?
Glamorgan won four and lost five last summer, finishing fifth in the group.
Northants went through, however, with five wins and four defeats, so it was tight. The Welsh side lost matches two to five, so gave themselves too much to do. Andrew Balbirnie of Ireland shone, making 255 at 36.42 (strike-rate 144.88) including 99 not out in the home win over Gloucestershire.
They did the double over the Glosters, in fact, no mean feat.
Dan Douthwaite offers something with bat and ball for Glamorgan
Who are their key players?
David Lloyd is a key allrounder, good enough to get a Hundred gig with Welsh Fire. He is tough as nails. When a ball was belted back at him while he was bowling in a T20 practice match last summer, he stuck his foot out and broke it.
He only managed five Blast matches, and couldn’t bowl. It will be good to get him back fully firing.
Chris Cooke is also a consistent batsman – last season he scored 221 runs at 31.57: he was quickly out of the blocks, starting off with scores of 51 not out, 72 and 42.
Timm van der Gugten was the pick of the attack last year, with 14 wickets at 14.92 (strike-rate 7.46), including three three-wicket hauls against Birmingham Bears, Northamptonshire and Worcestershire.
What are their biggest strengths?
Glamorgan have a strong overseas pro department.
Marnus Labuschagne has only played 16 T20s so should have fun gaining experience in that format.
Michael Neser – also born in South Africa and now playing for Australia – is more experienced, racking up the performances for Adelaide Strikers.
Colin Ingram is a seasoned campaigner, and has four T20 centuries and 41 half-centuries.
Two each time out of that triumvirate can hopefully inspire the youngsters, like Callum Taylor and Nick Selman. Prem Sisodiya is a steady spinner.
Where might they have a weakness?
Glamorgan are operating with a first-team squad of only 17 because of financial reasons. Graham Wagg (Shropshire) and Marchant de Lange (Somerset) are big losses.
Again, their physio might be a key member of their squad. A few injuries and there might be problems.
What are their chances of reaching Finals Day?
Glamorgan have not won the T20 title. In fact they have never reached the final, although they did make finals day in 2004 and 2017.
Around about the time of the latter, Steve James rated them the best T20 side in the country. Alas they couldn’t convert this into silverware.
It would be a wonderful tonic for Welsh cricket if they could punch above their weight this summer, but a quarter-final berth will be a pleasant surprise for their genial coach Matt Maynard.
Possible XI: David Lloyd, Nick Selman, Marnus Labuschagne, Colin Ingram, Callum Taylor, Chris Cooke (wk), Dan Douthwaite, Andrew Salter, Timm van der Gugten, Michael Neser, Prem Sisodiya.
Fixtures: June 10 - Gloucestershire (h); June 13 – Essex (h); June 14 – Surrey (a); June 16 – Kent (h); June 18 – Middlesex (h); June 19 – Somerset (a); June 22 – Sussex (a); June 24 – Gloucestershire (a); June 27 – Middlesex (a); June 29 – Surrey (h)
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