By Simon Mann Test Match Special commentator

The closed season at Cardiff has been quieter than a west Wales holiday resort in winter.

They have the same captain, the same coach, the same overseas player and the same squad - apart from the unfortunate Simon Jones.

Robert Croft was more successful with bat than ball in 2002

He will miss the whole season after rupturing the cruciate ligament in his right knee during the first day of last winter's Ashes series.

His absence is a significant setback for Glamorgan.

He did not run through Second Division batting line-ups last season - in 10 matches he took 33 wickets at 26.36 - but there were definite signs that he was beginning to fulfil his promise.

So far, the temptation to replace him has been resisted.

Like Durham, Glamorgan are intent on developing and nurturing local players. Even so, the decision not to sign a second overseas player could count against them in their bid to win promotion.

Two reasons have been given for not doing so.

Firstly, the club were opposed to it when the counties voted the proposal through. Secondly, they cannot afford it.

Do not rule out a re-think later in the season when a star player on a short-term contract becomes a cheaper option.

In the meantime, a tightly-knit unit will look to build on last summer's achievement of winning the Norwich Union League.

Glamorgan did not win a Cup match against a county side in one-day cricket last season but were victorious in 12 of their 16 league games.

The County Championship was, by contrast, a disappointment.

GLAMORGAN 2003 Coach : John Derrick Overseas players : Michael Kasprowicz Captain : Steve James

They were 43 points away from promotion, despite winning as many matches as Middlesex, who finished second.

Steve James, Mike Powell and Matthew Maynard all passed 1,000 runs and averaged over 50 while Michael Kasprowicz and Darren Thomas topped 50 wickets.

Thomas' wickets were expensive, however, and the attack missed the steadying influence of Steve Watkin.

Robert Croft was more successful with bat than ball in 2002 and it will need a big season from him to make up for deficiencies elsewhere in the bowling department.

Kasprowicz returns on a new, two-year contract after helping Queensland to the final of Australia's first-class competition, the Pura Cup, for the fourth year running.

The one danger with a settled team is that it grows up together and gets old together before young players are given a chance. This is not the case at Cardiff.

James, Maynard, Adrian Dale and Croft form the backbone of the side but the promising left-handers Ian Thomas and Daniel Cherry were given their chance last season.

They failed to make the most of their opportunities and it would help Glamorgan significantly if they reversed that this time round.