Colin Ingram and Michael Hogan have both been chosen in the 13-man squad for Glamorgan’s opening first-class encounter of the new season against Cardiff MCCU at The SSE SWALEC, scheduled to start on Monday 11th April, 11am.
Ingram returned to Cardiff on Friday after spending the winter in South Africa captaining the Warriors, whilst Hogan also flew back earlier this week after ending his Sheffield Shield career for Western Australia in style taking 8 wickets in his final game against Queensland.
The 34-year-old retired as WA’s ninth-highest wicket-taker (402 scalps) and the greatest No.11 run scorer in Shield history (1,561 at 17.15) from 102 first-class games. A late-starter to professional cricket, he will continue to play county cricket for Glamorgan for the next three years.
"I had a decent winter season and it was really nice to go out on a high over there," said Hogan earlier this week at the club's media day.
“All good things have to come to an end and I’m very happy to be here now.”
There’s also places for Chris Cooke who missed the Somerset match with a slight back strain and for new signing Timm van der Gugten. The Dutch international has limited first-class experience having only played a handful of matches for New South Wales and the Netherlands, but is keen to play in the Specsavers County Championship and Hogan is looking forward to linking up with Australian-born Netherlands international quick.
“He’s got that 85-90mph factor about him,” added Hogan. “That’s something we haven’t had for a few years, somebody who can hurry the batsman, so it’ll be interesting to see how he goes.
“He’s somebody who can perhaps scare a few guys in this division.”
After playing in the 2016 ICC World Twenty 20 for Netherlands, van der Gugten is looking forward to his first action at The SSE SWALEC.
“I am probably looking forward most to the four day comp,” said Timm. “Conditions are going to be very different over here with the new ball and just different surroundings too, so I am looking forward to getting stuck in and learning from everyone that has been here for longer.
“I like to pretty much bowl as much as I can and try getting into the batters face a bit.”
Cardiff MCCU have a number of their potential players ruled out by injury, not least Glamorgan's Jack Murphy and Kieran Bull, but are boosted by the return of captain Neil Brand.
The match squad also includes Glamorgan youngster and former Stag Jeremy Lawlor. Jeremy, a graduate of the Welsh county’s development programme, scored 81 against Hampshire last week in his third first-class match, after making his debut for Glamorgan in the last home game of 2015 against Kent.
There’s also a spot for Abergavenny born Cameron Herring behind the stumps, who was released by Gloucestershire at the end of last season and a number of other players with 2nd XI experience including Sean Griffiths and Greg Holmes.
Entry to the match is free via gate 2 at The SSE SWALEC and the club shop is open for all three days.
Cardiff MCCU (13-man squad): N Brand (capt), B Scriven, J Lawlor, C Herring (wkt), T Rouse, G Holmes, AT Thomson, A Westphal, S Griffiths, R Edwards, JR Turpin, C Brown, H Allen
Glamorgan (13-man squad): J Rudolph (capt), J Kettleborough, W Bragg, C Ingram, C Cooke, D Lloyd, A Donald, G Wagg, C Meschede, M Wallace (wkt), T Van der Gugten, M Hogan, A Salter