 David Harrison epitomises some of Glamorgan's frustrations this season
SPORT WALES EXTRA
with BBC Wales cricket correspondent Edward Bevan
Analysis and comment with BBC Wales' midweek online column |
 Glamorgan had targeted one-day cricket at the start of the season but it was their success in championship cricket that held centre stage. A successful one-day season brings rewards through the turnstiles and attracts bigger attendances but most first-class cricketers still regard four-day championship cricket as the pathway to the Test arena. Glamorgan achieved the same number of wins as they did in 1997 - the last time they won the County Championship - and there were the least number of draws in Division Two since the two-tier system began in 2000.  Aussie Shaun Tait took seven tickets in 10 T20 wickets for Glamorgan |
One of the reasons put forward by players and umpires was the non-involvement of the heavy roller between innings. It can deaden a pitch for long periods, nullify seam and spin, while the light roller, used for 10 minutes, rarely makes a difference. Pitches therefore are more seam friendly and James Harris showed why he is one of the most exciting young seamers in the country. Before the disappointing final game defeat to Derbyshire, Harris had taken 58 first-class wickets, the most by a Glamorgan fast bowler since Mike Kasprowicz in 2003. Harris stood out as Glamorgan's leading seamer and although David Harrison had his moments - eight wickets in the game at Worcester - he lacked the consistency of Harris. Jim Allenby was the other leading seamer and often broke important partnerships with his skilful change of pace and nip off the pitch. Aussie paceman Shaun Tait was their marquee signing but enjoyed only modest success in a Twenty20 series that Glamorgan finished bottom but one. There was scarcely a pitch in Division Two - apart from The Oval that did not encourage seam or spin - which was a welcome change to previous years when bland strips offered little to the bowlers.  James Harris has stood out as Glamorgan's leading seamer |
Dean Cosker, preferred to Robert Croft as Glamorgan's number one spinner, enjoyed his most productive season and invariably took a wicket in his first over. With Croft lending support whenever he played, Glamorgan had a balanced attack of three seamers and two spinners - and when Graham Wagg joins the club next season, they should have a bowling attack to cater for all their needs. The batting, though, fell away this summer and the team relied too much on oversees import Mark Cosgrove who excelled in the three competitions. Apart from the Australian with five championship centuries, there were only six other hundreds from Glamorgan's batsmen - compared with the 16 they scored last year. Only Cosgrove passed 1,000 first-class runs for the season as his opening partner Gareth Rees experienced a disappointing second-half to the season. Similarly captain Jamie Dalrymple averaged under 30 for the summer. Tom Maynard overcame a tentative start when his opportunities arose after Michael Powell was dropped in May and Maynard was unlucky to miss out on a maiden first-class century at Colwyn Bay after his dismissal for 98 Worcestershire.  | 606: DEBATE |
Allenby's batting emulated his bowling and his 11 scores of 50 or more in the championship was testament to his consistency throughout the summer. Glamorgan, after coach Matthew Maynard's third season, have shown they are no longer in transition but are still very much a work in progress. Glamorgan's end-of-term report will probably be thus:
Championship cricket: Exceeded expectations must improve on their batting if they are to succeed at a higher level. One-day cricket: Well-below average with only eight wins from 28 games. Must do better and formulate a pattern which has been lacking this season. Bowlers should practice yorkers and slow bouncers in the winter to make them more effective 'death' bowlers. Overall marks: 7/10 Follow Edward Bevan on Twitter
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