Glamorgan launch their 2018 Specsavers County Championship campaign over the Severn Bridge in Bristol on Friday – and young Cardiff batting star Kiran Carlson couldn’t have chosen better opposition.
Carlson ended last season with an unbeaten 191 against Gloucestershire at the SSE SWALEC, so he will have plenty of positive memories when he lines up in a Glamorgan batting line-up that has been boosted by the signing of Australia Test star Shaun Marsh.
But they are all likely to be tested by a Gloucestershire seam attack who skittled Kent for 64 and 153 to claim a five-wicket victory in their Championship opener in Canterbury last week.
“I feel better prepared now than at the same stage last year,” said Carlson, a 19-year-old who is yet another sporting product of Whitchurch High School, and who is studying Civil Engineering at Cardiff University.
He was Glamorgan’s leading run-scorer in their pre-season programme which included a trip to Dubai, and has relished the experience of working with Matthew Maynard following his return to Glamorgan as batting coach.
“The facilities in Dubai were excellent,” added Carlson, a product of Glamorgan’s Academy. “We could practise on different surfaces in the nets there - the Indian slow and low surfaces, the bouncy Aussie tracks, and the traditional English green seamers which we are likely to experience during the opening games in the Championship.
“It’s great to have Matthew Maynard at the club, and to be able to tap into his vast knowledge - someone who is regarded as one of Glamorgan’s greatest batsmen.
“With Shaun Marsh also on board, his experience and advice will be invaluable to the younger players in the team.
“Half a dozen of us have come through together from the Academy and various age groups. We know each other’s game, and I am sure this will benefit us as we prepare to succeed in all formats.”
Article written by Edward Bevan for the ECB Independent Reporter Network.