Carlson ‘ready’ to lead promoted Glamorgan

Kiran Carlson, a Glamorgan batter, says he is prepared to lead the promoted County Championship side if given the opportunity following Sam Northeast’s return to his Kent-based hometown.

Carlson, 27, has been a limited-overs team manager for Wales county for four years, including two One Day Cup victories, while Northeast led Glamorgan’s first-class side as they finished second in division two.

Carlson, who placed eighth in the Professional Cricketers’ Association rankings for Most Valuable Player of the county season, said, “I’ve learned a lot from senior guys and I’m getting to the age where I can start leading and doing a really good job.”

When Northeast took a paternity leave, he led Glamorgan to a win over Kent and has been a regular member since he was 18 years old.

“If I do end up taking over, Sam’s will be very big boots to fill. He’s impacted the group massively in terms of standards and dragged people up,” Carlson told Wales’ BBC Sport.

“I’ve done a little championship captaincy, a little different from Sammy, and I’d probably be a little more emotional about it all. I’ll give it my best shot if the authorities want me to be captain.

Although seamers Timm van der Gugten and James Harris have county experience, most clubs prefer a batter as captain of the longest-serving four-day players, veterans Chris Cooke and Colin Ingram have already had captaincies.

That does not preclude Glamorgan from appointing a new signing, perhaps as a result of the desire to join, but with the potential danger of dressing-room harmony.

Carlson is excited about the prospect of playing first division championship cricket in 2026 despite winning the One Day Cup twice.

The Championship has the most significance from the fans’ and the players’ points of view, Carlson said, “The game is at its pinnacle, but the white ball competitions are very important as well.”

We’re really excited to play division one cricket because we know it will be a step up, but we support ourselves.

Van der Gugten, a fast bowler, predicts Glamorgan’s top flight success if they maintain their 10-game unbeaten streak from May through the middle of September.

The Dutchman referred to the promotion charge as “incredibly important for the club,” and it’s been really nice especially after the first three rounds. “However, how we turned things around and how we’ve played since then have been very enjoyable,” he said.

I don’t understand why we won’t have some success if we play like that in Div One.

After two previous visits to the first division in 2001 and 2005, both Glamorgan’s supporters and management realized how crucial it is to strengthen the squad if they want to remain in the top flight first.

Batter Sean Dickson, signed from Somerset, is not seen as a like-for-like replacement for the departing Northeast, but coach Richard Dawson told Wales’ BBC Sport that bowlers are the priority.

Top of the shopping list are seam bowlers, especially with Harris and Van der Gugten, both of whom are now in their mid-30s, and Ben Kellaway and Mason Crane both offering good spin options.

Because there are so many different formats to play in, we need numbers for our bowling unit and we need to consider other options. Once the schedule is ready, Dawson said, “We have to look at how that maps out.”

It takes time, patience, and a lot of phone calls, but we have Sean coming in, which is a great addition. There is also the loan market and a lot of creativity.

“The one thing I look at as a coach is how we can develop what we already have and who can take opportunities,” he said.

Although the Hundred franchise tournament and Glamorgan’s new first division status allow top-drawer overseas players to be called up frequently, it will be difficult to attract quality recruits because there are typically only a few qualified county professionals with suitably-experienced players on the move.

How will Dawson sell Sophia Gardens, then?

He responded, “Opportunity, division one, good changing room, hope we can improve people and Cardiff is a great city.”

Glamorgan’s promotion has come after six months of diligent fieldwork.