20th July 2023
| Matt Thompson
Wales have named an unchanged squad from their opening championship game against Shropshire which reuslted in a washed out draw.
Both sides had to settle for a measly 20.2 overs at Brymbo after some heavy flooding and persistent rain ending in frustration all round. Shropshire mustered 43-2 up until that point with a championship debut wicket apiece for Jack Harding and Tim Moses. Whilst the forecast doesn't look too promising in parts across Sunday, Monday and Tuesday next week at Corsham it does suggest the prospects of play are significantly better! Wiltshire enjoyed their bye week whilst the rain fell, which also saw Cornwall and Dorset end in a bonus point draw.
CAPTION: Jack Harding celebrates his debut red ball wicket for Wales two weeks ago against Shropshire. The left arm seamer collected 4-35 for Glamorgan 2nd XI this week against Worcestershire also (Credit: Dan Purdie Photography).
It is the first time in over two seasons that the Wales management have been able to name an unchanged squad, as they look for consistency and continuity. Wiltshire are the side that Wales have the best record against in the Western Division since 1988, playing them 27 times, winning 7, losing 8 and drawing 12. The seventh and last win should hopefully be fresh in the memory given it was last seaosn at Panteg where Sam Pearce, Connor Brown and Greg Smith guided the team home with the bat on the final day. None of those players feature this time around however and instead Wales will be keen to avenge their reduced overs loss to Ed Young's men in the One Day Trophy earlier this season at Warminster.
Former Glamorgan keeper-batter Tom Cullen lines up in the middle order to face Wales, alongside the experienced Young and Jake Goodwin who hit a century in the Panteg fixture last year.
With only four games a season in the division, a rained off game can often leave teams playing catch up and it's no different this time around. With Wiltshire effectively a game ahead despite not playing, it will be important for Cameron Herring's side to start strongly and pick up a positive result sooner rather than later to leave promotion prospects in their own control.
Play starts from 11am at Corsham on Sunday, and admission is free. Live stream capability is expected.
Wiltshire CCC from: DTP Church, JMA Mynott, TN Cullen+, EGC Young*, J Goodwin, JA Stearman, HE Broderick, CD Aubrey, ABF Godsal, JN Croom, JM King, KJ Bennett-Thomas.
Wales NC from: HLR Friend, CH Hemp, SH Roberts, BL Wadlan, WL Ryan, CL Herring*+, TH Moses, HG Jones, TD Phillips, GT Pritchard, JC Harding, SBS Jaspal.