T20 Blast 2022 team guide: Glamorgan

The Cricketer takes a look at the Welsh side's setup ahead of the new season, going in-depth on batting strength, bowling variation, key players, and problem areas

Coach: Matthew Maynard.

T20 was Glamorgan's strongest suit from 2014 to 2018. Last year's Blast display was disappointing, however. Glamorgan won only three matches, and had the lowest points total in the country. Maynard is determined to rectify that this season.

"We need to learn when to attack more," he says. "Marnus Labuschagne was remarkable but Colin Ingram and Chris Cooke just had one of those years. We were forever short of a few runs, but Sam Northeast and Eddie Byrom should be good signings."

Captain: David Lloyd

Lloyd has a muscular no-nonsense style that also saw him land a deal with Welsh Fire in The Hundred last year. In T20 for him it's 'see ball, hit ball', and he also bowls handy seamers. His leadership is bullish.

^{David Lloyd captains Glamorgan [Getty Images]}

Overseas stars

Colin Ingram

Known as 'Kingram' in these parts. While below his best last summer, you shouldn't write the 36-year-old left-hander off just yet. A career total of 7,569 runs at a strike-rate of 137.71 for the crisp hitter known as The Bulldozer. Also bowls useful leg-spin. Possibly Glamorgan's greatest one-day cricketer.

Michel Neser

The Queenslander quick may be slightly overshadowed by his compatriot, marvellous Marnus, but they like rate him highly in these parts. He could have a key role, with fellow seamers Timm van der Gugten (hamstring) and Ruaidhri Smith (side strain) struggling with injury. Neser is a handy lower-order batter too.

Marnus Labuschagne

While he actually struggled a little in the County Championship in 2021, he had a blast in the Blast, with 390 runs in eight matches. He also took nine wickets with his legspin. The only trouble is, three into two doesn't go, and with the injuries to van der Gugten and Smith, Marnus could even miss out, although he leaves after six matches to tour Sri Lanka with Australia.

English and Welsh stars

Dan Douthwaite

The pugnacious allrounder loves hitting the ball hard. He can play extravagant shots that travel a long way. He powered Glamorgan to a six-wicket victory with a last over six-hitting blitz against Worcestershire paceman Pat Brown at New Road in 2020. He smashed three of the opening four balls over the ropes to see his side to their 191 victory target with two balls to spare.

Chris Cooke

A terrific allrounder batter (and keeper), he has been the finisher for Glammy at No.6 or 7. But might find himself one or two places higher. Quirkily has 2022 runs in T20s going into the 2022 season. His innings at Chelmsford in 2018 is recalled fondly still by fans. They were 110-8 chasing 168. Cooke and van der Gugten added 61 in 26 balls, with the former smashing four sixes before hitting the final delivery for four with the scores level to clinch victory by two wickets.

Kiran Carlson

There's more to come from the Welshmen. His standout display so far in T20 came against Surrey in 2018: 58 off 32. "That was a great experience, a Friday night at The Oval. Hopefully I can play in front of such big crowds again. I see myself as a multi-format player and it's just a case of putting in the performances consistently."

Wildcard

It's not inconceivable that Michael Hogan might be pressed into action given the injuries to key seamers, even though he hasn't bowled in T20 since 2019. He has a British passport – he's an honorary Welshman of course – so at least won't keep one of the overseas trio out of the side.

^{Kiran Carlson is a powerful presence with the bat [Getty Images]}

BATTING

Power hitters

Ingram of course. Eddie Byrom is out for a few weeks with a hip flexor strain but fits in this category too. Although he is orthodox in Championship cricket, he likes being a lower-order whacker in T20.

Anchor

Glamorgan believe Northeast will do well in the middle order, with his ability to clear the rope coming in handy (he has struck 70 sixes in 127 T20 matches). Although… don't rule out him opening.

Finisher

Chris Cooke: He showed his finishing power at Chelmsford in 2018. Glamorgan were 110 for 8 chasing 168. Cooke and Timmy van der Gugten added 61 in 26 balls, with the former smashing four sixes before hitting the final delivery for four with the scores level to clinch victory by two wickets.

^{Dan Douthwaite is a useful allrounder [Getty Images]}

BOWLING

Speed merchants

A bit of a problem. It was Marchant de Lange, but he's gone now. Ruaidhri Smith is probably Glamorgan's quickest bowler in this format, but will miss most of the tournament through injury.

Variation

Spin duo Sisodiya and Andrew Salter will be looking to recapture the form of 2020. Their seven wickets apiece were on the expensive side last year

Line and length

Roman Walker was last season's tidiest bowler, but he has joined Leicestershire. The spin duo will be relied upon to keep things tidy.

Problem areas

The aforementioned lack of speed, and the necessity for Neser meaning Labuschagne might miss out.

FIELDING

Who takes the gloves?

Cooke again. A reliable gloveman who recovered from a back injury in 2016. As a former captain, dispenses invaluable advice and is the heartbeat of the fielding unit.

Fixtures: May 26: Sussex Sharks (a, 7pm); May 27: Surrey (a, 6.30pm); May 29: Middlesex (a, 2.30pm); June 2: Essex Eagles (h, 7pm); June 3: Somerset (a, 6.30pm); June 5: Surrey (h, 2pm); June 7: Gloucestershire (h, 6.30pm); June 10: Hampshire Hawks (h, 6.30pm); June 18: Gloucestershire (a, 6.30pm);  June 19: Sussex Sharks (h, 2.30pm); June 21: Middlesex (h, 6.30pm); June 24: Somerset (a, 6.30pm); July 2: Essex Eagles (h, 6.30pm); July 3: Kent Spitfires (a, 6.30pm)

Squad: David Lloyd (c), Eddie Byrom, Lukas Carey, Kiran Carlsen, Chris Cooke (wk), Joe Cooke, Tom Cullen, Dan Douthwaite, Andy Gorvin, James Harris, Michael Hogan, Alex Horton, Colin Ingram, Marnus Labuschagne, Jamie McIlroy, Michael Neser, Billy Root, Andrew Salter, Ruadhri Smith, Sam Northeast, Prem Sisodiya, Callum Taylor, Timm van der Gugten

Possible XI: David Lloyd, Colin Ingram, Sam Northeast, Kiran Carlsen, Dan Douthwaite, Chris Cooke, Eddie Byrom, James Harris, Michael Neser, Andrew Salter, Prem Sisodiya