We must build on Welsh successes

Apr 22 2008 by Mark Wallace, South Wales Echo

IT’S been quite a winter for Welsh sport – Grand Slam glory, FA Cup and football league success and another big win for Joe Calzaghe last weekend.

Now it is time for Glamorgan’s cricketers to continue the feel good factor.

It certainly is an exciting time to be involved with the county.

The new ground, or SWALEC Stadium as it has been christened, is simply magnificent and anyone who may still be harbouring any lingering doubts over whether the redevelopment was a good idea need only take a tour of the place.

Other than Lord’s, where we open up our Championship campaign tomorrow, and possibly the Oval, I don’t think there is a better venue in the country to watch or play cricket.

Indeed, the only rumblings of discontent that have been aired by the players so far are about the unusually long walk to the wicket.

You’ll have to be on your toes if you’re next in to be able to negotiate the various stairs and corridors leading from the dressing rooms to the outfield without getting timed out.

There is another option however which has already been noted by a few of our more elderly players – a lift conveniently located on the way.

I’m not sure I’ve got that much faith in modern technology myself, but it would be quite amusing if Ricky Ponting were to, get timed out, stuck in the lift come 2009 wouldn’t it?

There have also been some notable changes off the field with Matthew Maynard quickly putting his stamp on things as cricket manager and strengthening the squad with the signings of Mathew Wood, Adam Shantry, Jamie Dalrymple and overseas player Jason Gillespie.

These acquisitions will obviously strengthen us no end and, along with the fit again duo of David Harrison and Mike Powell – plus our batch of promising youngsters, we can expect a far more successful season than we have had to endure of late.

All the new lads have settled in well and the signing of Dalrymple in particular is a real feather in our cap.

As far as where he currently is in his career, aged 27 and having already played for England, he is arguably Glamorgan’s finest domestic signing.

It is ironic that our opening two first class matches of the season will be at two of his old stomping grounds, at Lord’s tomorrow and at Oxford University, where we played a friendly last week.

I would have thought he’ll receive a frostier reception at ‘HQ’ than he got at his old university, mind you.

That said, warmth is certainly not a word that could be associated with our fixture at The Parks in any way shape or form.

I’ve never been so cold on a cricket field in my life as during our drawn three-dayer.

The icy wind must have pushed the temperature below zero.

But I suppose if you’re trying to continue on from a winter of sporting success you have to get used to the downsides.

WHILE we were all diving for the thermals and jumpers to fight back the weather in Oxford last week, David Harrison was struggling to keep the cold out of a more unusual area.

After realising that his cricket trousers were a shade on the long side, the returning fast bowler reached for the scissors to correct the issue without measuring them properly first.

The resulting garments were about six inches too

short, leaving his ankles badly exposed to the elements and his status in the fashion rankings decidedly low.

echo.sport@mediawales.co.uk