By David Williams
Glamorgan have released spinner Kieran Bull and opener Connor Brown with more departures from the county likely.
Having finished bottom of their table in the four-day Bob Willis Trophy, and with only the T20 Vitality Blast tournament left to play in a truncated season, the club are already looking to the future.
That means a clear-out of the ranks with Bull – who has been in the first team squad for seven years – the notable first significant departure.
Director of cricket Mark Wallace said: “It’s a shame when any players leave the club, especially when Kieran and Connor have both come through our system and played a big part in Welsh cricket.
“But with the times we’re in, we can only carry so many players into next season, so there’s a lot of very difficult conversations about playing staff numbers.
“It’s very disappointing news for them, but I hope they both continue to play on in the first-class game.”
Bull, 25, has suffered injury problems in recent seasons, including a stress fracture in his back, while Brown, 23, has struggled to gain regular first team action.
Bull played 16 first-class matches with a best bowling performance of 4-62 on his debut in 2014.
Brown featured in 10 first-class games and three one-day matches.
Their departures come after Glamorgan secured a hard-earned draw against Warwickshire with a battling display on the final day of their Bob Willis Trophy campaign.
Opener Nick Selman faced 215 deliveries for his 73 runs as Glamorgan held on to finish on 265 for 9 in Cardiff, with final pair Timm van der Gugten and Michael Hogan surviving the last 17 balls of the day.
“It was just about sticking with my game, waiting until they bowled straight and capitalising on that, just being patient,” said Selman.
“When (last man) Michael Hogan was batting on leg stump I wasn’t overly confident, the boys were nervous but, fair play, he kept them out.
“We played pretty well and showed some guts at the end to stick it out against an experienced side, but there are things to work on during the winter to get better for next season.”