1st July 2022
| Matt Thompson
Wales National County vs Glamorgan is back for second time!
The inaugural fixture between the two sides last year saw a somewhat unexpected result as the National County – albeit aided by Glamorgan’s Lukas Carey – triumphed in a closely fought affair by two wickets.
Tickets are available via: https://tickets.glamorgancricket.com/
Richard Edwards (3-40) was the main culprit for leaving Glamorgan 37-4 in a behind closed doors affair, which included the prize scalp of New Zealand international Hamish Rutherford. Carey’s 3-39 also accounted for the top order pair of Nick Selman and Kiran Carlson. Only Tom Cullen (41) got stuck in in Glamorgan’s total of 202 all out with former staffer Connor Brown adding 67 of his own in Wales NC's reply alongside Steve Reingold (44) in a century partnership.
Reingold alongside Andy Gorvin of the Wales NC side would go onto feature in Glamorgan’s famous Royal London One Day Cup win against Durham, with veteran seamer Michael Hogan recognising that the surprise defeat to Wales was partly the catalyst to the impressive form Glamorgan found through the tournament.
It is not confirmed whether Reingold will feature for Wales in the fixture this year, but Brown is sure to be involved, as is former staffer Kieran Bull who was released by Glamorgan in 2020. Explosive batter Tom Bevan, who has been in sublime form for Glamorgan 2nd XI this season with three sparkling hundreds, will line up for Wales as he continues his pursuit of professional honours. With the prolific Brad Wadlan now also back in the Wales fold, there may well be a spot for the 33 year old all rounder along with the likes of academy players Harry Friend, Callum Nicholls and Ben Morris – all of whom have continued their impressive journeys through the pathway in recent seasons. Newport and former academy prospect Morgan Bevans will also be looking to add to the pre-season hundred he notched against Glamorgan back in April.
CAPTION: Tom Bevan (St Fagans) has been in impressive form for Glamorgan 2nd XI and Wales NC in 2022.
For Head Coach Darren Thomas, he is all too aware of the challenge that awaits Wales this time around. He commented, "we gave a really good account of ourselves last year which to be totally honest, wasn't a surprise given how well the lads performed in the one day trophy last season. To get the win was a deserved reward for the standards we've continually tried to set ourselves and if it did contribute towards Glamorgan upping their game for the Royal London (One Day Cup) then clearly it was a win for all of us across Welsh Cricket! We know that they'll want to get one over us this time around though, so we'll need to be at our best again."
Director of Cricket Mark Wallace was of similar mind as he said: “We’re really looking forward to playing against Wales National County again and hopefully we can get some payback for last year. They’re a strong side, full of good players and it will be perfect preparation for us as we gear up to defend the Royal London Cup.”
The showcase fixtures across England & Wales are the second instalment of the ECB and NCCA’s initiative to highlight the players at the top of the recreational game, as well as raising awareness of National Counties cricket as an important part of the national pathway.
The all Welsh affair, whilst being held at Sophia Gardens for operational and logistical reasons, is effectively a national counties home game with tickets on sale for £8 for adults, just £2 for U17s and £5 for students with Glamorgan CCC members able to attend free of charge.
Tickets can be purchased here: https://tickets.glamorgancricket.com/
Gate 4 opens from 10am with play commencing from 11am, complete with a live stream and BBC ball-by-ball commentary.