David Hemp begins his second spell with Glamorgan on Wednesday when the Welsh county play the first game of their pre-season trip to South Africa.

Hemp and his colleagues will line up against a local invitation side, after four days intensive training in the heat of Cape Town.

Glamorgan are without Simon Jones and Mark Wallace, who both toured with the England Academy over the winter, while Alex Wharf also an absentee.

But the good news is that the all-rounder is back bowling in the nets just under three weeks after a heel operation.

It is likely that 31-year-old Hemp will open the batting with captain Steve James this season, in place of Jimmy Maher.

Good atmosphere

Maher's role as overseas player has been taken by Australian fast bowler Mike Kasporwicz, who is likely to team up with his new team-mates later in April.

Vice-captain Robert Croft said Hemp had fitted in well after his five-year spell with Warwickshire.

"It's like David has never been away," said the off-spinner.

"Now he wants to show what everyone in Wales has been missing, that he is a good player who will score a lot of runs.

"Everybody is behind him, and the atmosphere here has been excellent. We are raring to go."