Head Coach Matt Maynard has named a 13-man squad for the Specsavers County Championship Fixture against Sussex at the 1st Central County Ground tomorrow (Monday).
There are four changes to the squad which recorded the nail-biting win against Derbyshire last week, with Andrew Salter, Timm van der Gugten, Marchant de Lange and Kiran Carlson all returning.
De Lange and van der Gugten come back in for Lukas Carey and Michael Hogan in the policy of rest and rotation for the fast bowlers. This is so their workload is managed properly in a busy period of County Championship cricket, with eight matches scheduled over eight weeks.
Carlson returns after completing his university exams, and Salter replaces Kieran Bull in the squad after stepping in for him in Derby last week when he suffered a back injury which is likely to keep him out of action for a few weeks.
Club captain Chris Cooke is ruled out by the ankle injury he suffered against Gloucestershire at Newport and after undergoing a scan, could be missing for up to six weeks.
Tom Cullen made an unbeaten half century in the victory over Derbyshire and head coach Matt Maynard was full of praise for the wicketkeeper-batsman after made the most of the opportunity following Cooke’s injury.
“It was such a brilliant game of cricket, it ebbed and flowed,” said Maynard. “We were a bit loose in certain times of the game, but we kept on fighting.
“I think Cullen was exceptional. To come in for his first game, and give the performance he did, and fight as he did was great. We know he’s a tenacious character, and to double up as he did with 40 I the first innings and a match winning half century in the second innings was a terrific effort. We ask our lads to take their opportunities, and he’s done it.
“Likewise with Douthwaite, he’s come in and made his debut this game and took his opportunity. He had a couple of nice scores, and he’s a hungry man, he wants to learn as much as he can. I thought the spell he bowled was a game changer, as the game was getting away from us.
“He bowled terrifically in that spell of 10 overs, picking up four wickets. Great debut for him, and the boys are chuffed to bits to get over the line like they did and this will give the lads a lot of confidence going into the game against Sussex.”
Sussex are currently sit in 6th place in Division 2 but Maynard considers them to be one of the stronger outfits in the competition.
“I’ve told the boys not to fear them. If we play to our potential we are a match for every team in this division,” said Maynard.
“We just have to do that more often against the better teams in the division like Sussex. If we play to our max, and are as disciplined as we have been in the game against Derbyshire, then we have a great chance.
“With the confidence we have gained from this week, we can take a lot of belief from this game that we can win a game even when it looks like we might lose. I’m very confident, and happy with character we are showing.”
Glamorgan squad to face Sussex: Lloyd*, Selman, vd Gugten, de Lange, Hemphrey, Salter, Lawlor, Carlson, Root, Cullen, Douthwaite, Labuschagne and Wagg.