Kasprowicz fills gap

New signing Kasprowicz is used to achieving success

Test Match Special commentator Simon Mann assesses Glamorgan's prospects for the 2002 County Championship.

For the first time since 1986, a Glamorgan captain will not have the option of throwing the ball to Steve Watkin.

The 37-year-old seam bowler retired at the end of last season to run the club's academy and he will leave a big hole in the team's attack.

Last summer was not his best but he still bowled more overs (473) and took more wickets (43) than anyone else.

His retirement is the main reason why the county have opted for a bowler to replace batsmen Jimmy Maher as their overseas player and they finally settled on Michael Kasprowicz after failing in their attempt to sign Wasim Akram.

  Championship prediction

Promotion challengers

It is a conservative choice but probably the best from limited options. Kasprowicz is a reliable rather than devastating bowler. He has taken 47 wickets in 17 Tests for Australia and is unlikely to play for his country again.

He does, however, have experience of county cricket, having played for Essex in 1994 and Leicestershire in 1999, and during the winter he helped Queensland win the Pura Cup, Australia's first-class competition.

David Hemp's return after five years at Warwickshire is some compensation for the loss of Maher, who made 1,133 runs at 53.95 last summer.

The batting will be stronger if Steve James can stay free of injury. A knee operation and then a broken finger disrupted his first season as captain and he only played in nine championship games.

John Derrick is Glmorgan through and through

James will be working in conjunction with a new coach - Glamorgan's third in four seasons - but he is a familiar face.

John Derrick is a former player and coached the side during the 1996 and 1998 seasons. He moves up from second team coach to replace Jeff Hammond, who retired from cricket at the end of last season.

Derrick says his main aim is to restore the club's First Division status but, while they should challenge, an immediate return is by no means a certainty.

Adrian Dale is in his benefit season so Robert Croft takes over the vice-captaincy. The selectors insist otherwise but Croft's decision not to go on England's winter tour of India is sure to count against him.

Glamorgan should see plenty of him this summer, which will improve their chances.

  Glamorgan 2002

Captain: Steve James

Coach: John Derrick

Overseas player: Michael Kasprowicz

Main signing: David Hemp (Warwickshire)

Main departure: Steve Watkin (retired), Andrew Davies

The spotlight will be on several talented young players. Top order batsman Michael Powell is highly thought of in south Wales but his performances in the last two summers do not bear that out.

Perhaps he can catch the eye while others are under scrutiny. Two Glamorgan players were at England's academy in Australia during the winter - the wicket-keeper Mark Wallace and fast-bowler Simon Jones, the son of the former England test bowler, Jeff.

All wicket-keepers with ambition to play Test cricket must be capable batsman. Wallace has the potential to become one.

Jones is 23 and it is time for him to emerge as force in the county game. Eight games last season brought him the highly unimpressive figures of 17 wickets at 52.17 apiece. He is worth keeping an eye on, however.