Speaking after the last-session victory against Gloucestershire, Glamorgan head coach Matt Maynard was full of praise for his side and the way they have approached this season.
His side chased down 187 in just 42.1 overs as they claimed 21 points from the encounter to continue Glamorgan’s unbeaten start to the season.
“We bowled okay on the first morning but we found our lengths as the match went on. The pressure from those lengths that we put on the batsman today from the whole group, not just the opening bowlers but the five seamers that we used, put them under pressure and we got the rewards from it.
“There’s a danger in a run chase like that that we play a bit conservatively and I said I’d rather you take the positive option and if there’s any doubt go positive.
“You didn’t know what was going to happen with the light so let’s try win it with a few overs to go.
Glamorgan sit top the table by a single point, although their closest challengers Lancashire have a game in hand, and in their position at the top Maynard is quick to direct any praise coming Glamorgan’s way to his players.
“The way lads have gone about their cricket has been great and they’ve got the rewards for the hard work they’ve put in on the field.
“It’s the players, it’s the bowling group, it’s the fielders who are backing that bowling group up, they are the ones who are doing it and we are just trying to create, with the coaching staff and the backroom staff, an environment that allows them to do that.”
“I look at what we do and what we’ve done so far and I’m delighted.”
Marnus Labuschagne took his tally in the County Championship to 851 runs for the season, and the Australian has won plenty of admirers from inside the club.
“He’s been a great signing. We knew a lot about his character before he came and he’s proven to be a great signing all-round - not just for the runs but his manner in the field, the energy he gives the team, it’s just terrific. He’s fitted in brilliantly.”
“Hopefully we can keep him for a long time after this season and get a good relationship with him and make Glamorgan the county of his choice if he does come back to the UK.”
Maynard was hopeful of Labuschagne becoming a regular fixture in Wales, and has enjoyed watching the right-hander’s batting going from strength to strength.
“Yeah I did [float the possibility of him coming back] after his first net with us! He’s that kind of character, he’s a workaholic, he’s always looking to improve his batting.
“We’ve done quite a bit and he’s really enjoyed that. He’s had the rewards. I haven’t changed much in his game, tried to make him more defensively sounds for this country and he’s adapted.
“I haven’t tried to stifle him and if anything given him more freedom to play and his strike rate shows that.
“It’s the same with all our lads, not just Marnus, they know if they get out within their game plan they won’t get a b*****king, they’re going to get supported and praise for playing in a positive manner.”