25th July 2024
| Matt Thompson
Wales make just the solitary change from the first round of the NCCA Durant Cricket Championship against Herefordshire a fortnight ago, with teenage spinner Romano Franco replacing the unavailable Alex Russell who is on professional duties with Northamptonshire. The Glamorgan academy and Northop youngster has made two appearances for Wales this year in the white ball format but looks set to be in the XI for his red ball debut as it’s Dorset who head to Ebbw Vale.
Despite plenty of encouraging aspects at Eastnor it was the weather yet again that prevented any prospect of a result. It’s becoming a frustrating trend for Wales who have been blighted by multiple lost sessions in eight out of the last twelve championship games spanning over three years. That’s not to say they would have come out on the right side of their encounter with Herefordshire with the game evenly poised, but a first innings 99 from Brad Wadlan and career best figures of 5-69 by the returning Richard Edwards provided the foundations for a solid showing across what time was available. Notable contributions from Tim Moses (2-44), Cam Herring (41*) and Steff Roberts (42*) provided fledgling support but with the forecast set fair (presently!) across the three upcoming days in Ebbw Vale, Herring’s side will be keen to put in a positive team performance as they look to take control of Division 2.
CAPTION: Romano Franco (pictured) bowls against Worcestershire in the NCCA Showcase game last weekend. He will make a championship debut for Wales this weekend.
No team has yet to take a win after two rounds in the division as Wiltshire currently sit top on 23 points, but as Wales have only had the one run out thus far, this weekend represents an opportunity that would be wise not to pass up. Dorset’s have taken 9 points from each of their two rounds against Shropshire and Wiltshire respectively and sit in third place. They will be without the experience of Hampshire staffers Felix Organ and Joseph Eckland who will be in action during the Metro Bank One Day cup but seamer Matt Burton in included. The right armer has collected a high number of 2nd XI scalps over the last two seasons around the circuit, many of them with Glamorgan. Skipper Luke Webb will no doubt be hoping his side can do the double on Wales having made light work of a 228 run chase during the 50 over competition earlier in the season.
In terms of head to head championship records Wales have played Dorset 27 times winning 5, drawing 11 and 11 losing 11. Last year’s edition of the fixture was a high scoring draw where Wales recorded their highest ever score in championship history at Wimborne of 474-8 thanks to 134 from Brad Wadlan, 81 from Kurtis Marsh and 74 from Milo Ayres. Player/Coach Wadlan will make his 50th championship appearance of his career which incudes stints with Wales, Cornwall and Hereford.
As for hosts Ebbw Vale, the game marks a return of national counties cricket to Blaenau Gwent for the first time since 2011 when Wales hosted Devon in the 50 over format. There are no surviving members of that side for Wales nowadays who featured the likes of Tom Baker, Alex Jones, Dion Holden, Aneurin Norman, Andrew Salter, and Rhodri Evans. The club have hosted a number of CAG fixtures over recent years and have been strong supporters of Welsh cricket generally over the years – last month they hosted the most recent Cricket Wales board meeting.
CAPTION: Ebbw Vale set to host its first national counties game since 2011.
Play commences from 11am on Sunday with admission free of charge. Live streaming is hoped to be available across the three days.
Wales NC from: HLR Friend (Newport), KM Marsh (Swansea), CR Nicholls (St Fagans), SH Roberts (Swansea), BL Wadlan (Swansea), CL Herring*+ (Pontarddulais), MC Ayres (Bedminster), TH Moses (Cowbridge), RD Edwards (Neath), AK Russell (Northants CCC), WTS Moore (Swansea).
Dorset CCC from: Luke Webb *, Will Tripcony, Finn Gordon, Jacob Gordon, Greg Willows, Alex Eckland +, Connor Smith, Louis Prichard, Ed Bartlett, Matt Burton, Henry Dunlop, 12th man: Ben Rogers
*Did you know Wales NC have released a documentary last week of their three day pre-season tour to Spain back in March? You can catch up with Episode 1 of Behind the Dragon here: https://youtu.be/toPmELX3l6s
