Kiran Carlson: Batter ‘ready’ to lead promoted Glamorgan in County Championship

Fast bowler Van der Gugten says Glamorgan can succeed in the top flight, if they keep up the standard of a 10-match unbeaten run between May and mid-September following a slow start.

“It’s huge for the club, it’s been really nice especially after the first three rounds and how we turned it around, how we’ve played since then has been very pleasing,” the Dutchman said of the promotion charge.

“If we play like that in div one, I can’t see why we won’t have some success.”

However, Glamorgan’s supporters and management realise the importance of strengthening the squad if they are to achieve a county first of staying in the top flight, after two previous visits to the First Division in 2001 and 2005 resulted in immediate relegation.

Batter Sean Dickson, signed from Somerset, is not seen as a like-for-like replacement for the departing Northeast, but coach Richard Dawson told BBC Sport Wales that bowlers are the priority.

With Ben Kellaway and Mason Crane offering good spin options, seam bowlers are top of the shopping list – especially with regulars Van der Gugten and Harris now in their mid-30s.

“We need numbers in our bowling unit, we need to look at overseas, not just one because we’ve got different formats to play in. We’ve got to look at how that maps out once we get the schedule,” Dawson explained.

“We’ve got Sean coming in which is a great addition, there’s also the loan market and we’ve got to be a bit creative, but it takes time, patience and a lot of phone calls.

“The one thing I look at as a coach is how we can develop what we’ve already got and who can take opportunities.”

Despite the money coming into the county game from the Hundred franchise tournament, and Glamorgan’s new First Division status, it will not be an easy task to attract quality recruits as top-drawer overseas players are usually limited by international calls, while the number of suitably experienced county professionals on the move is usually limited.

So how will Dawson sell Sophia Gardens?

“Opportunity, Division One, good changing room, hopefully we can improve people and it’s a great place to play, Cardiff, a great city,” he responded.

Six months of hard work on the field has gone into earning Glamorgan promotion.

While the players head for the beach, followed by the gym or southern hemisphere cricket for some, the management’s work off the field and on the phone will be crucial for Glamorgan’s chances of ensuring that 2026 is not another one-hit wonder.

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