Michael Hogan has given Glamorgan a boost after being named in the squad for tomorrow’s Specsavers County Championship clash with Worcestershire at The SSE SWALEC.
Hogan returns to the Glamorgan seam attack in partnership with new signing Marchant de Lange who is in line for his home debut, whilst Harry Podmore who re-signed on a second loan spell from Middlesex in successive seasons is also included.
Glamorgan have a good recent record against Worcestershire in Wales, with two wins and two draws in the last four meetings, but had a difficult start to the season last week losing inside two days at Northampton.
Batsman Colin Ingram says the team will look to bounce back from their defeat to Northants.
“It was a slow start at Northampton,” said Colin Ingram, "but we weren’t too down after the game, which shows that our team culture is strong and we know which way we want to go this season. We definitely have a lot to prove but we’re ready to go. “
The Welsh county were defeated in their season opener after winning the toss and deciding to bat.
“It was a difficult toss decision and after speaking to a few of their guys they were uncertain what to do too but we had opportunities to get back into the game and we should have taken them.”
Ingram has been out of the Championship squad since the start of the 2016 season after picking up a back injury, but is happy with his form on his return to the red ball game.
“It felt really good to be back in the middle. The red ball game is a challenge and I’ve worked extremely hard to get ready. I do enjoy it so coming back and spending some time in the middle last week will hopefully put me in good stead for the upcoming game.
‘I was happy with my processes and the way I hit the ball. I would have liked to have batted longer in the second innings but I’ll take the positives. I played straight nicely.”
Glamorgan defeated Worcesterehire by five wickets in the game at New Road last season, which put a big dent in Worcestershire’s promotion hopes. Young all-rounder Owen Morgan – who was one of four young Welsh players to sign their first contracts with Glamorgan this season – scored his maiden first class hundred in the win after coming in as a night watchman.
“Worcester aren’t a side I’ve played against so I’m looking forward to that. The way I look at them lining up they’ll come here and look to take us on. A few of the guys played nicely in the game last year and it was an outstanding win at their place and hopefully we can replicate that performance over the next few days.”
Aussie seamer John Hastings is set to make his debut for a Worcestershire team under the fresh captaincy of Joe Leach, with Daryl Mitchell returning to the ranks.
Glamorgan (13-man) squad to play Worcestershire: Rudolph (c), Selman, Lloyd, Ingram, Cooke, Donald, Carlson, Meschede, Salter, De Lange, Hogan, Carey, Podmore
Worcestershire squad: Mitchell, D’Oliveira, Fell, Clarke, Kohler-Cadmore, Cox, Leach (c), Barnard, Hastings, Tongue, Shantry, Rhodes