Hammond angry at Croft treatment

Robert Croft has missed several Glamorgan games

Glamorgan coach Jeff Hammond says spinner Robert Croft has been 'ill-treated' by England's uncertain Ashes selection policy this summer.

Hammond is not happy at the way Croft has been called up by England only to spend his time off the field, depriving Glamorgan of his services.

"I am quite annoyed that Robert has virtually had three or four seasons as one this year," said the Australian.

"He has been asked to go away with the England team, they have elected not to play him and he has sat on his backside for probably five or six days when we could have used him.

Strategy

"There are times where he has gone three weeks without bowling a ball in a game and then he's asked to come back and do the business.

"He must be one hell of a 12th or 13th man in the dressing room the way they have carted him around the way they've done. I think he's been a bit ill-treated this year."

And Croft missed another Glamorgan match against Essex in the CricInfo Championship, as he was included in the England squad for the fourth Test with Australia.

Meddling

But Croft was left out of the starting XI when the Test began on Thursday, and Hammond was hopping mad when he found out.

"To say I'm angry about the issue is an understatement. I could understand it possibly if he was under contract,

"He's not under central contract, so what are they trying to do? They are meddling with the guy's cricket and it's of no value to Glamorgan.

"I have a lot of respect for Duncan Fletcher, but I am worried about the system they have going. It's as if they can't play with a spinner.

"Robert must be shattered, being dragged from pilllar to post doesn't do a lot for the guy's confidence or our county."