Robert Croft’s sacking by Glamorgan was “an incredibly difficult decision” according to chief executive Hugh Morris.
The coach was dismissed on Wednesday afternoon after three years at the helm during which time he followed the county’s declared strategy of focussing on young, inexperienced, local, low budget players.
The other half of the grand plan – to turn those raw recruits into successful cricketers, good enough to win matches – proved beyond Croft, just as it has for everyone else for over a decade.
The former England spinner represented the county for 23 years as a player and joined the coaching staff following his retirement, taking the top job in 2016.
He has been unable to bring success to the SWALEC Stadium, though, and departs after winning just two Specsavers County Championship matches in 2018 – a record that prompted an immediate independent review.
The club will name a successor after appointing a new director of cricket, the other suggestion of the probe carried out by reviewer Huw Bevan.
Morris said: “It was an incredibly difficult decision for the board to make, but given our performances in the County Championship we feel it is the right time for a change.
“Robert is always welcome back at the club and we hope he will continue to act as an ambassador for Glamorgan and Welsh cricket.
“He is one of our greatest players and the most successful player we have ever had at the club at international level and has done more than anyone to promote not just cricket in Wales, but Welsh cricket to the world.”
In 2017 the 48-year-old led the team to a first Twenty20 finals day in 13 years but, despite earning praise for blooding locally produced players, he could not reverse a poor sequence of results with limited resources.
“Although our County Championship campaigns did not go as I would have liked, we were able to compete admirably in the shorter formats of the game with a small and young squad of players,” he said.
“Glamorgan will always hold a big piece of my heart and I would like to wish the club and supporters well for the future.”
Morris added: “On behalf of the club I would like to thank Robert for the incredible contribution he has made to Glamorgan, not just as head coach but also as a player, assistant coach and ambassador over the last 30 years.”
Croft later expressed his heartfelt thanks to Glamorgan after spending more than three decades at the club in some capacity.
He said in a Twitter post: “Thirty two years have gone in a heartbeat. From arriving at Glamorgan Cricket Club in 1986 to leaving in 2018 it’s been full of highs and some lows but overall memories and relationships to be cherished forever.
“I wish everyone connected with Glamorgan Cricket past and present, our terrific Supporters, Sponsors, Press and media a happy, healthy and successful future. Many thanks to all for the support my family and I have received over these years, it’s meant the world.”
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