Season Previews (Wales NC & Disability Teams)
Wales National County
As another season of NCCA cricket descends Wales find themselves in familiar territory – one of cautious optimism. Optimism in that the squad is brimming with an abundance of talent (both young and old), but the caution being exercised is that that talent hasn’t translated into consistent performances on the field when it really matters.
It’s been three years since Wales progressed out of their One Day Trophy group, and whilst a first T20 Super 12s stage was reached last season they have failed to stay in the three-day championship promotion race prior to the final round in recent years. Continuity remains the biggest challenge for Head Coach Brad Wadlan with numerous players moving fluidly between the pinnacle of the recreational game and the professional arena, and is often the reason why Wales use more players than most other national counties over the course of any given season.
It’s a price often worth paying however as demonstrated by the growing list of alumni who have plied their trade at NCCA level before putting pen to paper with Glamorgan – Jack-Hope Bell, Romano Franco and Tom Norton are the latest three in the last 12 months to join the likes of Henry Hurle, Will Smale, Ben Morris, Callum Nicholls and Ben Kellaway over the last four and half years.
There is a strong chance those listed above (with the exception of Kellaway) may feature more than the odd game during the NCCA white ball competitions, which would certainly add some eye watering firepower. The emergence of Ollie Rayner and Cian Davies – two members of the victorious CAG U18 side from a few years ago – coupled with the experienced heads of Rhodri Lewis, Wadlan himself, Cam Herring and one or two others should mean that the core of the side remains strong. Herring looks unlikely to be fit in time for the 50 over competition after sustaining a nasty football injury over the winter but is envisaged to continue his leadership role in the championship.
The next generation of youngsters (courtesy of Welsh pathways) could experience their first taste of NCCA action this year with Jacob Blades, Aron Bird, Thomas Edwards and Jac Kenchington all added to the registration list. Don’t be surprised if Billy Root adds to his solitary appearance from last season against Gloucestershire when not in first team Glamorgan action, whilst Cam Hemp returns to the club cricket scene in South Wales after two seasons playing in, and for Buckinghamshire. It’s no secret that former Glamorgan skipper David Lloyd returns to the club cricket scene for hometown Brymbo this season – it isn’t beyond the realms of reality to see him in a Wales shirt later this season.
On the coaching front Wadlan remains at the helm across all formats as hear nears the completion of ECB Level IV award. He will fulfil a playing role where required, further adding to his credentials as one of the top 10 leading run scorers in NCCA history. Former Leicestershire and Oxfordshire captain Dan Rowe (skipper at Port Talbot CC) will assist across white ball formats whilst Wales NC North Head Coach Chris Stead will assist for the three day championship. Glamorgan will add their expertise on the coaching front also.
Ins: Jacob Blades, Aron Bird, Jac Kenchington, Thomas Edwards, Mo Aazim (pending eligibility), Cam Hemp, Billy Root, David Lloyd (TBC).
Outs: Saihaj Jaspal, Roman Walker (Shropshire), Richard Edwards.
Ones to watch: Keep an eye on stylish 16 year-old academy batter Jacob Blades (St Fagans CC) whose development over the next few years will be of interest to Glamorgan. 2025 was a first taste of NCCA action for left arm seamer Matt Marriott. With a winter of Cardiff UCCE under his belt how the left arm seamer fares this year will be worth keeping an eye on.
Fixtures & Schedule: https://nationalcountiesca.co.uk/ncca/fixtures
NCCA Play Cricket: https://ncca.play-cricket.com/home
Wales NC Home Page: https://cricketwales.org.uk/wales-national-county/
Wales National County (North)
It’s been a productive off-season for the North programme which continues to play a pivotal role in supporting the development of players in the region, with the intention of transitioning them into the Wales NC senior side, and beyond.
The major change from 2025 has been the switch from an U19s side to an U17s alongside the senior North team. This is partly to encourage a younger looking senior side than peer v peer U19s cricket, but also to narrow the gap from the end of Cricket Wales junior programmes (U14) to the senior North team. Head Coach Chris Stead has been impressed with the standard of nominees opting to maintain a wider pool of players than perhaps initially thought. The emphasis on youth has been further emphasised by the addition of another multi-day game in 2026, with the annual fixture against Middlesex Schools now complemented by another against Shrewsbury School. Exposure to the longer format will look to accelerate the development of the U17s group over the next few years.
The senior side’s fixture programme remains similar to previous years with competitive fixtures against NCCA 2nd XI’s in Shropshire, Cheshire, Staffordshire and Herefordshire. The RAF return for their third consecutive year and Glamorgan 2nd XI travel North in September for what promises to be a useful shop window for players from both sides.
Denbigh’s Harrison Jones takes the senior side’s reigns this summer in the place of Will Ryan who steps away from the programme this year. Both players were part of the original group that was assembled in 2022 when the programme was born, and both continue to be outstanding role models for the region having represented Wales NC over recent seasons. Will’s brother Matt and experienced seamer Jason Foulkes finished the three day championship campaign with Wales NC last summer, and both have legitimate chances of remaining in contention for 2026 or before if required.
Ins: Whole new group of U16s & U17s.
Outs: Will Ryan (St Asaph).
One to watch: Keep an eye on young batter Josh Hollinshead who secured a place on the Glamorgan academy during the winter.
Fixtures: https://walesnc.play-cricket.com/Matches?tab=Fixture&selected_season_id=259&seasonchange=f&fixture_month=4&season_id=259&season_id=259&team_id=&view_by=year&view_by=year&team_id=&search_in=&q%5Bcategory_id%5D=all&q%5Bgender_id%5D=all&home_or_away=both
Wales Disability
The 2026 season represents a new era in the wake of Les and Jenny Randell’s departure after 11 years of tireless service. Steve Maddock – the newly installed Head Coach over the winter – has been working hard with both 1st and 2nd XI groups to ensure that both teams can maintain their standings (or even better improve upon) from 2025 in the D40 Quest and Pursuit respectively.
That task won’t be made easier by the loss of experienced duo Scott Bishop and Chris Margetts over the winter; long serving keeper/batter Callum Power has also indicated he may not feature in 2026 pending recovery of fitness and skipper Jack Page’s availability is mixed as he prepares to become a father for the first time. Michael Weathersby will deputise captaincy duties for the 1st XI with assistance from Rhys Gaskins-Davies – Weathersby has been a hugely influential member of the side for many years and remains the only Welsh player involved in the ECB Disability Premier League.
He will be looking to Josh Mead to spearhead the seam attack with his skilful left arm seamers, with support from Kieran Williams, Page (when available), youngster Alfie Bevan with Herbrandston’s Marc Evans providing another left arm seam alternative. Alex Lloyd and Adam Fowler provide more than useful options on the spin side. On the batting front the hugely experienced Ioan Martin is hoped to be able to play a key role with both Rhys and Rhodri Gaskins-Davies another year older and wiser to add spine to the middle order.
2ND XI captain Sean Greening will look to guide a young group again, but a group that has plenty of experience in D40 Pursuit cricket. As per ECB regulations there is some fluidity allowed between 1st and 2nd XI groups so expect to see some crossover of players as they continue their development at both levels. They entertain Sussex, Berkshire and Gloucestershire at home with trips to Dorset, Gloucestershire and Somerset.
One to watch: Still reasonably new to the fold is youngster Alfie Bevan, who showed plenty of promise with his right arm pace in 2025. Another year older with a winter of practice behind him should mean that his trajectory is one to watch.
