 Matthew Maynard has enjoyed himself in the Twenty20 Cup |
Matthew Maynard has long been respected by peers and opponents as one of the most destructive batsmen on the county circuit. So it should come as no surprise that the wham-bam nature of the Twenty20 Cup suits him down to the ground.
But the middle-order stalwart is only just warming to the competition, after the Glamorgan Dragons' lukewarm attempt at the competition in its inaugural season last year.
Reaching Saturday's semi-final against the Leicestershire Foxes, with a possible final to follow later in the day against the winners of Surrey against Lancashire, is a marked improvement on last season's solitary win.
"Although I was pretty successful in it last year on a personal note with runs scored, I didn't really enjoy the competition that much," Maynard told BBC Sport.
"That was probably because we took it quite light-heartedly as a team, but this year we've really concentrated on doing well.
 | ROUTE TO FINALS DAY Semi-final:
v Leicestershire, 1500BST |
"As a professional sportsman I hate losing, so last year having only won one match and lost four I didn't really enjoy it.
"The Twenty20 Cup has been great this season - to get to the semi-finals and final day is a good effort by the boys and it's been a thoroughly enjoyable season.
"The scheduling of Twenty20 matches has been a bit better this year, but having to play two County Championship matches between the quarters and semi-final can be a little bit disruptive!"
While Glamorgan chase promotion from Division Two of the Frizzell County Championship, the shorter forms of the game have also seen the Dragons set the pace in National League One - in which Maynard's batting average is just short of 100.
The 38-year-old Maynard entered the Glamorgan record books this season after breaking the county's record for first-class centuries with his 53rd ton.
After almost 20 years service with Glamorgan, Maynard has also been awarded a deserved testimonial.
| LISTEN LIVE 1115 - 1500 BST
Semi-final: Lancashire v Surrey
BBC Five Live Sports Extra and this website
1500 - 1800 BST
Semi-final: Leics v Glamorgan
BBC Five Live Sports Extra and this website
1900 - 2200 BST
Twenty20 Cup final
BBC Radio Five Live and this website
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The team's momentum this season has dragged the crowds along with it and Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, the largest of Glamorgan's grounds, has often been bulging with spectators.
However, the Twenty20 Cup has caught the public's imagination throughout Britain and Saturday's competition finale at Edgbaston could have been sold out several times over.
"The competition has become important to the team and to our supporters, although unfortunately there haven't been enough ticket allocations for our lot," Maynard added.
"But it's going to be a great day for the club and for cricket, and as players we've just got to enjoy the day.
"We can't get caught up with lifting the trophy, we've just got to take Leicestershire on.
"They're quite an underestimated side and a very strong side so they won't be easy."
MMIX
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