Glamorgan’s One Day Cup campaign just hit rock bottom, literally. They were absolutely shellshocked, bowled out for a pathetic 66 by Middlesex. That’s their fourth lowest score in over 60 years of one-day cricket, a loss that wrapped up in just 30 overs. And guess who’s next? Only Ben Stokes and his red-hot Durham side. Talk about a brutal week.
Glamorgan’s Nightmare Start
This “callow line-up” is really struggling. After that embarrassing 66-run disaster against Middlesex, the batting collapses have become a trend, seen against Yorkshire too. It’s a tough scene, especially with five players off at The Hundred, which is more than usual for them. Plus, they’re resting 40-year-olds Colin Ingram and Chris Cooke, just like last year, to save them for the Championship block. Timm van der Gugten also sat out the Middlesex trip due to workload, and breakthrough bowler Tom Norton looks out for the One Day Cup with a back injury. Zain Ul Hassan could be back from paternity leave, and Jamie McIlroy’s fitness is getting re-assessed, but this team needs help.
Stokes, Unstoppable
Meanwhile, Durham is straight up in-form, and Ben Stokes is the reason why. The former England captain skipped The Hundred to play for Durham, and he’s been an absolute force, smashing unbeaten scores of 108 and 73 in wins over Derbyshire and Sussex. He’s one of the best, no doubt. Glamorgan coach David Harrison is trying to spin it: “It’s a great opportunity for some of these [young] players to play against one of the best players in the world, I don’t see it as a worry, I see it as a challenge. Durham are a strong team but we’ve got to be better.” Can they actually be better, though?
A Debutant’s Hope
One positive for Glamorgan? Eighteen-year-old seam bowler Tom Edwards made his first-team debut against Middlesex. He got thrown in unexpectedly due to McIlroy’s warm-up niggle and snagged two cheap wickets! Edwards told BBC Sport Wales it was “a surreal moment” with “a lot of emotions, excitement and nerves,” but the nerves vanished after his first wicket. He handled the pressure, trying to treat it like any other game. He’s ready for the next one, too: “We’ll see what the squad is for Durham but if it does happen, it’ll be a very good experience playing against Ben Stokes.”
Glamorgan faces Durham on Tuesday. This is a crucial match for a team in freefall. Can they find some answers, or will Stokes just pour more salt on the wound? All eyes will be on that Tuesday game, especially to see if young Edwards gets another shot against a legend.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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