Mark Cosgrove to return in 2010

Although slightly disappointed that Simon Jones decided to choose Hampshire over Glamorgan (even if he had played only 6 games, he would have been an asset), far better news was announced yesterday that South Australian power hitter Mark Cosgrove will be Glamorgan's overseas player for 2010.

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Cosgrove (profile) had an excellent 2009 for the Welsh county. Originally signed only as a substitute for Herschelle Gibbs, Cozzie effectively played four months of the season and had impressive stats.

The superb Mark Cosgrove in September sunshine in Cardiff. Just like Adelaide!

With Gibbs expected to be the permitted 2nd overseas player in Twenty 20 cricket in 2010, things are definitely taking more order down at Sophia Gardens.

Now if we could just pick up a decent quick bowler to go with James Harris and Adam Shantry. Matthew Hoggard anyone?

And so the cricket season ends....

It lasts about 6 months these days (I watched my 1st game on April 3rd!), but the domestic cricket season is over.

Taunton in early April...

Glamorgan have shown considerable improvement in 4 day cricket, such that promotion was still on the cards with days of the season left.

Ultimately, Essex gained the 2nd promotion spot, somewhat fortuitously, as pointed out in an earlier post. That said, they did win 6 games compared to Glamorgan's 2.

Glamorgan's batting has improved enormously this season, more batting points than any other side in the division, and 16 centuries scored. This improvement was shown in the last game at the Oval, with several records tumbling (scorecard, report).

Anyway, it's time to put the flask and scorecard away for the winter. Look out for my season review which will be posted shortly over on fans' blog, Third Umpire.

...and Cardiff in late September.

Neath 41 Ebbw Vale 7

As expected a hammering down at Neath, a pity as we've down well at the Gnoll in recent years.

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22-0 at half time, some pride was restored in the 2nd half before succoming to Neath's superior squad.

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This season is shaping up badly. We're rock bottom, played 5, lost 5, with fixtures coming up against Llanelli and Aberavon. It could be played 7, lost 7.

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It's looking like a Gwent dog fight. Ourselves, Cross Keys, Pontypool and Bedwas are all struggling. The 12 fixtures between us could be decisive in deciding who goes down to the graveyard that is Division One East.

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We could make a start with a home win versus Llanelli on Saturday.

Summer must be nearly over....

Not only are the evenings getting darker earlier, but the cricket I'm watching on TV is coming not from Bristol or Chelmsford, but from South Africa.

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A sure sign that winter is on its way.

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Thank goodness for Satellite TV!

Glamorgan draw with Gloucestershire 16th - 19th September

More last ball agony for Glamorgan as for the 2nd week running they failed to take the last opposition wicket (scorecard, report)

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This draw, together with the one from the previous Saturday against Essex, may prove oh so costly in the final analysis. Two victories would have Glamorgan in 2nd place and in the box seat going into the final round of games.

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But how good has it been to have two full 4 day fixtures in September sunshine to finish off the home season in Cardiff?

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Never mind - only 6 and a half months before it starts all over again!

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Pics

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Crofty: 38 overs on Saturday, and back for more next season @ 40 years old

James Harris explains the decision to declare overnight

Crofty in action

Will Porterfield anchored the Gloucestershire innings

Mark Cosgrove: Will he be back in 2010?
Let's hope so

Ebbw Vale 3 Pontypridd 28

Oh dear.

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I'd like to write that I can't get any worse, but it can, Neath away next Saturday.

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Really not sure where a win is coming from. The boys tried hard and tackled well in the first half, until the inevitable happened in the 2nd as weariness set in.

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This is going to be a long hard winter at Ebbw Vale, and it'll be as much as we can do to stay in this division.

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Tough times.

Michael Schenker Group, Pontypridd, 170909

What a fantastic night with mad Mickey Schenker and the boys in the unusual surroundings of the Pontypridd Munical Arts Theatre, one of only two dates in the UK on this tour.

What a superb little venue, good bar, £1.50 for a cappuchino (!), £2.50 for a pint (better).

2 support bands (Local Hero & Skin) and then down to the main event

We had a few new numbers, but in the main it was a step back to the early 1980s era of MSG, not surprising with Gary back on vocals.

It was all there guys (not in order):

Armed and Ready
Ready To Rock
Into The Arena
Attack Of The Mad Axeman (video clip, intro only)
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
On And On (video clip)
Cry For The Nations
Lost Horizons (video clip)

and of course, an encore including the timeless UFO classics:
Rock Bottom and
Doctor Doctor.

Some pics

MSG rock Ponty - didn't think I'd ever write that

MSG: 2009 style

Chris & Schenker

and again

Bringing the house down

No, we thank you Mr Schenker

and see you soon.

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There's some more great clips posted by this dude.

Glamorgan v Essex @ Cardiff 10th - 13th Sept 2009

Match drawn, but we should have won.

Glamorgan fell agonisingly short of a deserved victory over Essex, as the visitors hung on with 9 wickets down (and good use of time wasting), despite an almost certain bat-pad catch off Robert Croft with the penultimate ball (scorecard, report).

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Glamorgan really are a much improved outfit in 4 day cricket this season and still have promotion hopes going into the last 2 games.
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Day 3 pics

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Day 3 clips here and here.
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Day 4 pics
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Day4 clip here.

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Shape up Ebbw

It's not looking tremendously rosy in the garden at Eugene Cross Park so far this season.

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A 2nd half capitulation at Glamorgan Wanderers was followed by a 30-3 stuffing at home by Cardiff (27-3 at half time).

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I didn't see the Cardiff game, so I can't say too much, but the impression I get is that we are short of power in the front five, and lacking in pace behind.

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With upcoming fixtures against Newport, Pontypridd, Neath, Llanelli and Aberavon, it's difficult to see where the first win is coming from.

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I won't be at Newport, but will be there to cheer them on versus Ponty a week on Friday. We really need a lift to give us some hope, else it'll be a long hard winter at Ebbw Vale.

England v Australia 2nd ODI, Lord's, 06/09/09

We enjoyed our visit to Lord's on Sunday, but I have to say I thought that England looked a very ordinary ODI side, especially batting wise, in losing by 39 runs to Australia.

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A target of 250 in 50 overs in modern day cricket is not excessive, especially on a good Lord's track, with a fast outfield, and the sun shining (scorecard, report from cricinfo)

Pics
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Bopara

Bopara, Shah & Swann

The Aussie balcony

Lord's from the Grandstand

Callum Ferguson

Paine, Clarke & Bopara

Nathan Hauritz

Collingwood, Hussey, Paine & White

Lancaster Bomber flypast

Mike Hussey

Clarke & Bresnan (?)

Nathan Bracken

England struggle

Various!

Michael Clarke

Cardiff home, 05/09/09

Ebbw Vale kick off their home campaign tomorrow versus last year's Champions Cardiff.

I can't be there I'm afraid, as London's calling for us, but good luck to the boys nonetheless.

Let's have a repeat of the 1st half last week not the 2nd!