This week’s instalment in the series of features reflecting on some of the statistical highlights of the 2017 season looks at some of the achievements of Glamorgan’s bowlers during this summer’s white-ball cricket.
During the first part of the season, Marchant de Lange - with 18 wickets - was the most successful bowler in the zonal rounds of the Royal London One-Day, with his haul including career best figures of 5/49 against Hampshire at The Ageas Bowl. By the end of the tournament, Marchant’s tally of 18 wickets was only surpassed by Surrey’s Sam Curran who ended the competition with 20 wickets.
Michael Hogan also enjoyed another stellar season in white ball cricket taking a career-best 5/17 against Gloucestershire in the NatWest T20 Blast match at The SSE SWALEC, besides bowling an outstanding and match-winning final over in the T20 match against Surrey at The Kia Oval as the home side were mounting a dramatic rally.
However, perhaps Michael finest moment in white ball cricket came in the nerve-jangling Royal London One-Day Cup encounter at the Essex Eagles at The SSE SWALEC as his efforts helped Glamorgan secure a one-run victory after a nerveless final over from Michael plus some razor-sharp fielding which prevented the visitors from scoring the seven runs they required from the last six deliveries to win a crackerjack of a contest.
After the run out of Simon Harmer, and a series of dot balls from the frugal Australian-born seamer, the equation for Neil Wagner was four to win from the final delivery, but the Kiwi could only squirt the ball away for two runs, leaving Glamorgan to celebrate a one-run victory – their first at their Cardiff headquarters in one-day cricket since 1991.
Further details about the milestones achieved by Michael Hogan and Marchant de Lange during 2017 will appear in the 2018 Glamorgan Yearbook, which is due to be published next March. To place an order at the special advanced price of £17 (plus £1.99 postage), please send an email to museum@glamorgancricket.co.uk or write to Yearbook Orders, c/o Archives Department, Glamorgan CCC, The SSE SWALEC, Cardiff, CF11 9XR. Please note that from December 1st, the Yearbook will be available at £18 (plus £1.99 postage).