Captain Cooke to take the helm for Glamorgan

8 Jun 2018 | Matches
Head Coach Robert Croft has named a 12-man squad for Glamorgan’s Specsavers County Championship clash with Warwickshire at Edgbaston.

After a disappointing Royal London One-Day Cup campaign, Glamorgan turn their attention back to the red-ball competition, starting with a trip to Birmingham this weekend, before home matches against Derbyshire and Northamptonshire.

The Welsh side have been hampered by injuries and will be without Specsavers County Championship skipper Michael Hogan who is still returning to full fitness, while Marchant de Lange is still out with a hamstring injury and is undergoing rehab.

Hogan's abscence means that Glamorgan stalwart Chris Cooke takes over as captain of Glamorgan for the first time. Cooke was named vice-captain at the beginning of the season across all three formats. 

Meanwhile, batsman Connor Brown is set for his first Specsavers County Championship appearance of the season after impressing in the Royal London One-Day Cup. The 21-year-old hit a List A career-best 98 against Surrey and is joined by eight other Glamorgan Pathway players in the county's latest 12-man squad.

Overseas signing Usman Khawaja also features in the squad following his early arrival to the county as cover for compatriot Shaun Marsh. The star batsman had initially signed for the Vitality Blast campaign but has been drafted in early and is likely to make his Glamorgan debut on Saturday.

“I wanted to come back to the UK at some point", said Khawaja. "I gravitated towards Glamorgan because I knew the likes of Shaun Marsh and Michael Hogan were playing here, so for me it was all about playing somewhere that I would enjoy playing my cricket."

The left-hander played in all four Tests in Australia's tour of South Africa back in March, but comes to Glamorgan on the back of a short break and ready to make an impact.

“When Shaun was selected for the Australia ODI side there was a chance to come over three weeks earlier to Cardiff. It was an opportunity for me to get my feet wet because I was ready to go cricket wise and help out in the four-day game.

“Obviously I came here to play T20 cricket but I want to contribute in any way I can so that’s on the back burner for the time being so I can concentrate on these next few County Championship games.

“I’m here to perform for Glamorgan. I play my best cricket when I’m out there enjoying it. I’m very focused now that I’m here and want to contribute in any way I can and hopefully win some games."

Glamorgan 12-man squad to face Warwickshire: Cooke ©, Khawaja, Lloyd, Selman, Murphy, Brown, Salter, Smith, TVDG, Morgan, Carey, Lawlor