PREVIEW: Calling for Bouncebackability
29.05.26, 10:36 Updated 29.05.26, 10:36 4 Minute Read
Aled Hopkins
Just over a week ago, Glamorgan fans would have been on cloud nine having finished the first block of County Championship sitting third in the table. But they were brought firmly back down to earth last week with two gut-wrenching defeats in the opening two games of the Vitality T20 Blast. Now facing an uphill battle to keep their quarter final hopes alive, they face another baptism of fire against Blast champions Somerset.
The competition got off to a frustrating start as Glamorgan fell three runs short against Northamptonshire last Friday at Wantage Road. There was no time to lick their wounds as they prepared to face Gloucestershire the following night in Cardiff. Glamorgan would rally with the ball after a below par batting performance but again fall agonisingly short on the final ball. Two losses from two, although not sitting bottom of the group, after Warwickshire’s two losses keeps them anchored to the bottom, it’s a less than perfect start to a competition that feels a major Achillies heel for Glamorgan.
Despite the disappointment in the results column, there have been some positives from the first two games. Marquee signing Fazalhaq Farooqi looked every bit his international pedigree. Farooqi claimed six wickets before being recalled by Afghanistan and was the unlucky victim of Matt Taylor’s edge that won Gloucestershire the game last Saturday. Henry Hurle made his debut in the same game and was the man to rescue the Glamorgan innings with a crucial 46. He showed early signs of T20 prowess with some big shots and accelerated the innings at the right time. Mason Crane has also had a strong start to the Blast campaign. He was metronomic in taking 2 for 16 off his four overs against Gloucestershire and halted their middle order from getting away from Glamorgan. He also hit a very handy 23 against Northants to give his team a chance.
In contrast, Somerset have picked up where they left off last season, winning both of their first two games comfortably. Two seven wicket wins against Hampshire and Warwickshire, respectively, see them sit one point behind Northants at the top of the group. James Rew continues to impress as he sits top of the competition runs leaderboard through the first two games. He has 140 runs to his name with a high score of 93 against Warwickshire on Sunday. Tom Banton continues to prove why he has been one of the most reliable players in this format with a strong start at the top of the order. Jake Ball and Craig Overton have five wickets a piece so far and their experience has been invaluable to giving their high-powered batting lineup a chasable total.
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