No fire from Dragons

As Glamorgan slide towards defeat in their first Championship match of the summer against Sussex, there hovers an air of inevitability about what is to come at the Swalec Stadium over the coming months.

The Welsh county again look a weak unit, held afloat by a sprinkling of young talent and wise, old heads. Another winter of investing more in stadia than squad leaves them embarking on the 2010 season with fingers crossed and empty statements of possibility.

As has so often been the case in recent seasons, James Harris, the young, Swansea-born fast bowler, has carried the can for the Dragons in their opening match, taking eight wickets.

Harris aside, only the evergreen Robert Croft and his spin partner Dean Cosker looked threatening with the ball, while the batting continues to be a worry.

They have secured Shaun Tait for the Friends Provident Twenty20, a competition they have some prospects in, but the lack of pace in their seam attack in the other formats leaves a gaping hole and makes a mockery of any optimism from coach Matthew Maynard on his side’s chances.

It will take a miracle for Glamorgan to get out of the second division this season and, unless they seriously adjust their focus at board level, it may take another one to keep Harris at the club past his current contract, which runs out next year.