We’ve performed better this year, but there’s still improvement needed: Matthew Maynard

On Sunday, Glamorgan beat Kent by 35 runs in what was a dead rubber. Batting first, the Sam Northeast-led side put up a total of 190 runs on the board on the back of an unbeaten half-century by Dan Douthwaite. 

Later, a superb bowling effort from the Glam bowlers helped bundle out the opponents for 155 runs in 17.2 overs. Jamie Mcllroy picked up three wickets while Douthwaite and Andrew Salter picked up two each.

However, Glamorgan finished sixth in the points table with five wins in 14 games and could not qualify for the next round. Although they put up much-improved performances this year, it is the fourth season in a row when they have bagged more losses than wins.

"We've performed better this year, but there's still improvement to go," Glamorgan coach Matthew Maynard told BBC. 

"It was a nice way to end it (the win over Kent), but we're all disappointed we haven't managed to qualify. In one or two games, we just didn't manage to get over the line, and that's the game of T20 cricket," Maynard added.

This season, new signing Sam Northeast finished with the most runs for the team (510), while Michael Hogan was the top wicket-taker with 20 wickets. This was also the veteran bowler's final season before retirement.

"Sam Northeast had a superb competition, very consistent, Michael Hogan had a fantastic campaign, nice to see Prem Sisodiya come back into some form. Andrew Salter and Dan Douthwaite contributed at times, but it's about getting a bit more consistency from the middle order," said Maynard.

Maynard also reserved special praise for Billy Root, who scored an unbeaten 38 against Kent and hit one boundary and three maximums in the process. The southpaw played only two games this season, and it looks like he will get to play a lot more of them next season.

"I was pleased to see Billy Root having to up his strike rate. He's come in and played a vital role against Kent. Just a little bit more consistency in the middle order, and we could be challenging (for the title)," the coach concluded.