Glamorgan unchanged for Essex clash

6 Aug 2018 | Cricket
Head Coach Robert Croft has named an unchanged 15-man squad to face Essex Eagles for tomorrow night’s Vitality Blast contest.

White-ball skipper Colin Ingram returned for the Welsh county yesterday after a short illness and excelled, scoring an unbeaten 46* against Middlesex as Glamorgan ran out seven-wicket victors. 

The comprehensive win in Richmond saw Glamorgan cap off an impressive week after victories against Surrey and Gloucestershire. The county has now climbed to fifth in the Vitality Blast South Group and in the process renewed their hopes of reaching the knockout stages.  

Ruaidhri Smith put on a bowling masterclass in the field on Sunday, celebrating his 24th birthday in style as he tore through the Middlesex top order on his way to producing the most economical four-wicket figures for Glamorgan, surpassing the previous best of 4/14 by Timm van der Gugten in 2016. Kiran Carlson meanwhile, starred again with the bat hitting 40 runs as the visitors stormed to victory inside 13 overs. 

Glamorgan have already faced off against Essex Eagles in the Vitality Blast this year, snatching victory off the last ball in Chelmsford. Chris Cooke proved to be the hero that day, hitting 60* off 29 balls and found the boundary off the final ball of the innings to take victory in a thrilling contest.  

A county-record ninth wicket stand of 61* between Cooke and Timm van der Gugten saw Glamorgan pick up their second win in the Vitality Blast that day. The Welsh county now head into Tuesday’s clash against Essex looking for their sixth triumph in the 20-over competition this season.  

Glamorgan 15-man squad to face Essex Eagles: Ingram (C), Selman, Carlson, Donald, Cooke, Meschede, Lawlor, Wagg, Salter, Smith, TVDG, Hogan, Carey, Cullen, Taylor