Glamorgan Keen to Keep Meschede

1 Sep 2015 | Cricket
Glamorgan's priority over the winter is to strengthen their bowling attack for next season and that the Welsh county would be keen to retain Craig Meschede, says chief executive Hugh Morris.
The county have admitted their over-reliance on Michael Hogan, Graham Wagg and Craig Meschede, whose loan deal from Somerset is coming to an end.

Clearly we're very light in the seam bowling department, said Morris.

Those guys have played every game in every format so to make sure we have some more firepower in that department is very important.

Hogan, Wagg and Meschede were picked when fit for every game this season until mid-August. They are Glamorgan's three leading wicket-takers, sharing 159 victims between them.

Glamorgan would be interested in retaining Meschede, but Morris acknowledges the ball is in Somerset's court.
It's very clear, Craig has a contract with Somerset for one more year so he is very much a Somerset player at the moment, he said.

We would be one more seam bowler down, so that's very much a target area.

Ruaidhri Smith, 21, has played in two Championship games and six limited-overs matches, claiming 10 wickets in total. Andy Carter took 16 wickets in four Championship matches on loan from Nottinghamshire, but has had injury problems.

Will Owen was forced to retire after failing to feature in the first team this season following injuries.
One possible recruit is 24-year-old fast bowler South African Matthew Pillans, who impressed during a second XI trial and is on the radar according to Morris.

Glamorgan's top-order batting has been inconsistent this season, but Morris suggested that signing a batsman as well as a bowler could be beyond their means.

Clearly we are working to a budget. If the right player comes up we would have a look at it but our priority is to strengthen our seam bowling, he said.

Glamorgan hope England Under-19 limited-overs captain Aneurin Donald will make the most of going full-time next season, while David Lloyd could also be promoted to a regular middle-order slot.