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Maynard praises 'consistent' Glam

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, The Oval:
Surrey v Glamorgan

23-26 September
Coverage: Full ball-by-ball commentary on BBC Radio London and online, live scorecard on BBC Sport website, Ceefax and mobiles


Maynard outlines promotion bid

Matthew Maynard insists his Glamorgan side deserve promotion to County Championship Division One due to their consistent displays over the season.

Glamorgan could clinch promotion from Division Two if Maynard's side beat Surrey at The Oval and Northamptonshire and Essex lose their final games.

And Glamorgan boss Maynard said: "I firmly believe we are the second best side in the league this season.

"I think we've played the most consistent cricket apart from Kent."

Glamorgan are fourth in County Championship Division Two - winning two, losing two and drawing 11 of their league games this season - and are hoping for their third promotion since the Championship was split into two divisions in 2000.

The 1997 Championship winners have been promoted from Division Two in 2000 and 2004 only to be relegated the following year on both occasions.

Glamorgan have been in transition since their Sunday League title triumph in 2004 following the retirement of key players Steve James, Adrian Dale, Steve Watkin and Maynard himself.

Matthew Maynard
We've played some good stuff this year and we've been a hard team to beat - and that is what we wanted to achieve at the outset of the season

Glamorgan cricket manager Matthew Maynard

The Welsh county have endured some forgettable seasons in the wilderness but former England assistant coach Maynard, coming to the end of his second season in charge, is gradually helping Glamorgan turn the corner.

Maynard, Duncan Fletcher's assistant in England Ashes victory of 2005, has told his unchanged Glamorgan squad they need all 22 points at second-to-bottom Surrey to have a chance of going up alongside Kent.

And the one-time Glamorgan captain - who won four trophies in his one-club playing career - hopes Essex lose at Derbyshire and Northamptonshire fail to beat bottom-club Leicestershire.

"It is good that we're going into the final Championship game with something to play for," Maynard told BBC Sport.

"We've played some good stuff this year and we've been a hard team to beat - and that is what we wanted to achieve at the outset of the season.

"Actually we could have won another four or five games in the Championship this season - so instead of challenging for second place, we could have been comfortable winners."

Glamorgan, for example, were narrowly denied a win over Gloucestershire last week but Maynard is encouraged by the change in his side's change in mindset.

"The players are starting to believe," he said.

"They are gradually getting used to being in winning positions after staving off defeat after defeat.

"It does take a period of time to transform those winning positions to getting over the line - but we're getting there.

"When I took over Glamorgan I said the rebuilding process would take three years and we've certainly turned it around in first-class cricket which is a great springboard for next season whatever happens.

"But I believe to win promotion we need 22 points against Surrey - so we must claim maximum batting and bowling points at The Oval and then go on to win."

Glamorgan have not won at The Oval since a three-wicket win over Surrey in 2001.


Glamorgan (from): G P Rees, W D Bragg, M J Cosgrove, M J Powell, J W M Dalrymple (capt), J Allenby, T L Maynard, M A Wallace (wk), J A R Harris, R D B Croft, D A Cosker, A J Shantry, G J P Kruger.



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Dalrymple sees Glamorgan to draw
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Tredwell tweaks Kent to victory
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Derbyshire rescued by Welsh rain
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Dalrymple ton dominates dull draw
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Maynard relishes Glamorgan return
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BBC Sport Wales coverage
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