Hogan happier with Glam ahead of trip

NEW skipper Michael Hogan insists Worcestershire will today be facing a very different Glamorgan side to the one that folded in the opening weeks of the season.

The Australian has taken over the captaincy from South African opener Jacques Rudolph and enjoyed a stunning start to life at the helm with a dramatic last-over victory against Durham in Swansea in the county’s last fixture.

After a difficult start to the summer, it was a first Championship win of the season for Robert Croft’s side, with Hogan leading the way with a seven-wicket match haul.

However, it has been the manner in which Glamorgan’s batsman have applied themselves in recent matches that has provided the biggest source of encouragement for Hogan, Croft and his coaching team.

In the backs-to-the-wall effort against leaders Nottinghamshire, Colin Ingram and Chris Cooke batted together for the entire final day to stave off defeat, while at St Helen’s, opener Nick Selman stood up as the match-winner thanks to a memorable unbeaten century.

Worcestershire were comfortable eight-wicket victors in Cardiff in mid-April, wrapping up the points before lunch on the third day.

But as the sides prepare to meet at New Road today (11am), Hogan believes his players will be far sterner opponents.

“They (Worcestershire) were by far the better team when they beat us earlier in the season, but we have improved since then and are up for the challenge,” said the Aussie. “We have planned on how to approach each innings better.

“After a poor first-innings performance against Notts, the batsmen were told in no uncertain terms that it was not acceptable and a blueprint was set for the future.”

Glamorgan will select from the same squad as they did for the Durham game with 19-year-old Pontarddulais seamer Lukas Carey in contention for a recall after being rested last time out.