Glamorgan CCC | Match Preview - 10/07/2023

It’s back to County Championship cricket on Monday, as Leicestershire travel to South Wales to take on Glamorgan at Sophia Gardens.

The Foxes fought hard for a draw against Durham last time out to stay second in the table, while Glamorgan are unbeaten so far this term “ falling one wicket shy of victory over Sussex last time out.

Rehan Ahmed returns to the Leicestershire ranks after Ashes duty kept him from featuring against Durham and the final two Vitality Blast fixtures.

Last Time We Met:

The spoils were shared in April during a rain-affected fixture at Uptonsteel County Ground. Leicestershire put on 407 in the first innings, led by Peter Handscomb’s 95 and Ahmed’s 90, while Timm van der Gugten took six for the visitors.

After reducing Glamorgan to 225/7, a stand of 211 between Chris Cooke (132) and Michael Neser (90) took the visitors into the lead “ Chris Wright dismissing both on his way to 5/89.

Rishi Patel starred on the final day “ scoring his maiden century at Grace Road. The Foxes opener ended on 134 not out as the game petered out into a high-scoring draw.

Fox to Watch:

Rehan Ahmed’s return will be a welcome one for the Foxes. The 18-year-old adds vital balance and the option of versality in the order, having had a successful promotion to three in the Foxes’ chase at Gloucestershire last month.

He’s averaging 38.45 so far this season, with his four half-centuries to his name. As previously mentioned, Ahmed’s top score came in the reverse fixture.

The all-rounder will be looking to add to his wicket tally in Cardiff. Having claimed six wickets in the opening part of the campaign, conditions are turning in his favour to pick up some vital mid-season poles.

Opposition Player to Watch:

Talking of Ashes returnees, how big a boost will Michael Neser’s comeback be for this week’s hosts? The Australian international has starred with bat and ball this term, as the Foxes saw first hand in Leicester in April.

Neser has 19 wickets at 25.63 in 2023, including a best of 7/32. He possesses a devastating in-swinger, as Wiaan Mulder became all too aware of earlier this term.

With the bat, his 90 at Grace Road forms part of his 311 runs at 51.83. He has a hundred to his name this season too, a score of 123 against Sussex in May.

Squad:

Two additions to the squad that drew with Durham, as Rehan Ahmed and Louis Kimber come back into the travelling party.

Leicestershire: Ackermann, Ahmed, Barnes, Budinger, Handscomb+, Hill*, Kimber, Mulder, Parkinson, Patel, Salisbury, Scriven, Wright.