Rudolph to stay as Glamorgan skipper
THERE will be no change of leadership at Glamorgan this year with Jacques Rudolph continuing on as captain.
Rudolph will lead the county for a third consecutive season amid doubts over whether he should skipper the side following a disappointing 2016.
The South African made 659 runs at an average of 24 in the County Championship last season, although he did guide the side to a T20 Blast quarter-final spot.
Glamorgan chief Hugh Morris said:“The way he led the side, the respect he has, is really important.
“By his own admission, Jacques had a really disappointing season, but he’s been 19 seasons in first-class cricket, we all have bad seasons, and he’s really excited about coming back for 2017.
“There won’t be anyone trying harder than Jacques to regain form and provide some success for the club.
“The way we’ve performed in white-ball cricket over the last two years, we’ve been really competitive.”
At the same time, Colin Ingram should also be fit to return for the Welsh county next season. The South African batsman impressed in limited-overs cricket last season but could not play in the Championship because of a knee injury, which required an operation in August.
That has not stopped him playing T20 cricket in his homeland recently but he is yet to make his comeback in the four-day game.
Meanwhile, the county are still in talks with another South African, fast bowler Marchand de Lange, about signing for the 2017 season.
Morris added:“[Ingram] is spending time on strength and conditioning and he is due to play some four-day cricket before he comes across to Glamorgan.
“We’re very comfortable with the way he’s going, he’s due to be playing before the end of January.
“We have had conversations with Marchand’s agents and those are ongoing.”
TCP VERDICT
Good on Glamorgan for staying with Jacques Rudolph despite one poor season. He has the experience and knowhow to get the county back firing and has the class to get his own game back on track too. A fit Colin Ingram would certainly lift their County Championship ambitions too.