Club News

17 June 1998

Steve James called into England squad

Steve James has been called into the England squad for the Second Test with South Africa. James, the country`s leading run scorer during the last two years, has been called in as cover for Mark Butcher has has a hand injury. Sources close to the England team consider that the Surrey batsman has a less than a 50:50 chance of playing. There are also doubts over captain Alec Stewart, who has a combination of food poisoning and a back spasm. Both Graeme Hick and Jack Russell have also been called into the squad, but if Mark Butcher cannot play, it will be Steve James who will open the innings with Mike Atherton.

The Glamorgan opener was naturally delighted with this morning`s news. "I was in the gym at the Cardiff ground, doing some weights with Adrian Dale, when Mike Fatkin and Matthew Maynard walked over. They looked serious, and I thought that I was in trouble at first, but they then said that David Graveney had rung, and that I was to travel up to Lord`s. It hasn`t sunk in yet, but it`s fantastic news to be called up, although I`ll have to wait until the morning to know if I`m playing."

Keep an eye on the England page to see if Steve gets his chance.

Duncan Fletcher, the coach who guided Glamorgan to the Championship title last year, has been in Cardiff this week for discussions about a possible return to Wales next year. The Western Province coach has taken a break from cricket since the end of the domestic season in South Africa, and turned down the chance of coaching South Africa A in Sri Lanka next month. He spent several days in Cardiff en route to Ireland for a holiday with his family, and will let Glamorgan know his decision soon after his return from the emerald isle.

"Things are in the pipeline, and there`s nothing definate yet, but there`s a very good chance that I will be coming back," Fletcher said. "I`ve got to have a final chat with my wife and family because there is a lot of upheaval involved. But I would say it is 90 per cent certain that I will be at Glamorgan next season."

Fletcher has been closely folowing the club`s fortunes this season, and is not downhearted by their recent Championship defeats. "We went through a bad period in the middle of last season, and the only difference is that they are having theirs now. There`s been a bit of bad luck with injuries to Matthew Maynard and Waqar Younis, but with a couple of wins, Glamorgan will be back in the running. I said from the beginning of last season that we were cut out to be a good four day side. That is still the case. I would like to get the balance of the one day side right. There are a lot of talented youngsters coming through who have a big part to play."

Keep an eye on these pages for news of Duncan`s decision.