As Glamorgan prepare for their first home quarter-final since Warwickshire were defeated in 2004, their coach Robert Croft has emphasised how important home advantage is for any team – especially when they are one game away from Finals Day, writes Edward Bevan.
”I don’t remember much of the quarter final 12 years ago, but with almost 7,000 packed into the old Sophia Gardens ground that night, home support was a terrific boost as they cheered every run and wicket,” said Croft who was captain the last time Glamorgan hosted a last eight knock-out fixture.
Glamorgan have won five of their seven home games this season. They have created a pattern built on aggression and wicket-taking through a potent seam attack led by Timm Van Der Gugten, who has taken 17 wickets, one more than Michael Hogan, while Graham Wagg and Shaun Tait have also contributed to their success.
The home team, will also hope that Colin Ingram, their outstanding top order batsman, can continue in the form that has brought him four fifties and a century in this season’s competition.
Despite not playing a game in the county championship due to an ongoing knee injury, Ingram has shown remarkable consistency in white ball cricket and averages 44 in the T20 Blast.
Yorkshire will be without their England players, while Travis Head has been called up by Australia into their one day squad, but Croft recognises the difficult task Glamorgan face.
“Whoever they play Yorkshire will remain formidable opposition,” said Croft.
“I have played against enough Yorkshire teams in the past to know that they are proud, determined and stubborn cricketers, and you get nothing less than 100 per cent in their approach.
“You underestimate them at your peril, and they have shown in the competition this year that the squad have got them to this stage in the competition despite Joe Root not having played a game and Jonny Bairstow only featuring twice.”
Yorkshire have won the county championship in successive seasons and Glamorgan’s best chance of defeating them is probably in the shorter version of the game.
”White ball cricket does seem to suit our squad, and they have learned to cope and adapt to different situations,” added Croft.
Two years ago, Glamorgan lost by one run to Lancashire after losing three wickets in the final over on the reserve day, which was a huge disappointment, but Croft says that won’t affect the players.
“The Lancashire game is in the past – we’ve said to the players to remember the wins you have achieved against good teams this season and look forward, not back.”
Sound advice from a coach, who hopes twelve years on from that win against Warwickshire - where they recovered from 2 for 2, to chase down a target of 159 - home support will again lead to success.
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