Head Coach Matt Maynard has named a 13-man squad for Glamorgan’s Specsavers County Championship fixture against Lancashire at Colwyn Bay tomorrow.
The Welsh county currently sit in joint second and in the promotion places on 129 points, however they face a Lancashire side with a 28-point lead at the top of the table with just four matches remaining in the competition.
New loan signing Samit Patel is set to make his debut for Glamorgan after signing for the club’s final four remaining County Championship fixtures, while seam-bowler Ruaidrhi Smith makes his first four-day squad of the season after successfully returning from injury in the Vitality Blast.
Shaun Marsh also returns to fill the overseas spot in place of leading run scorer and compatriot, Marnus Labuschagne.
After missing out on the Vitality Blast campaign, opener Charlie Hemphrey is looking forward to the return of red-ball cricket and his first match at the Rhos-on-Sea ground.
“It’s good to be back in County Championship action,” said Hemphrey.
“It’s always nice to get away and play in the out grounds. I’ve heard a lot of good things about the ground from the boys and it’s a really good fixture to have there.
“We are obviously playing against a good side, and it should be a good challenge. It would be nice if the weather could stay good to get a good game in.
“They have some good quick bowlers, but that is something I’m used to from playing Shield cricket. It should be a good challenge, they’ve done well this year, but there is no reason why we can’t match them.”
Hemphrey welcomed the birth of his first child in July and took some time off as a result, however he has played for the 2nd XI in recent weeks and was part of the side which won the 2nd XI T20 competition earlier this week.
“I’ve really enjoyed playing in the seconds and you can get out there with a bit less pressure,” admitted Hemphrey.
“It’s been nice to go out and see some of the youngsters coming through, and to play as well as we did on Finals Day was fun to be a part of.
“The birth couldn’t have worked out any better in terms of there being no Championship cricket for a while. It certainly puts a new outlook on life and puts things into perspective a bit. I’ve loved it, the big man is doing well back home in Cardiff.
“The whole process has really helped me grow up. Not quite got him with the bat and ball yet, but that’ll come.”
Glamorgan squad to face Lancashire: Cooke*+, Lloyd, Selman, Hemphrey, Patel, Hogan, Wagg, Douthwaite, Salter, Root, Carey, Marsh and Smith.