GLAMORGAN’S batsmen had a horror show in Northampton on the opening day of the season but Will Bragg hopes to thrive at the County Ground to prove his fitness for a return to the XI.

The 30-year-old from Cwmbran is an absentee from the first game of the campaign after suffering a back injury in pre-season.

A scan allayed any fears of a serious problem and the left-hander is set to get back out in the middle for the seconds at Northants in a three-day game that starts on Wednesday.

Glamorgan coach Robert Croft will be monitoring the score with interest after Aneurin Donald was the sole member of the top seven to get into double figures on the first day of the County Championship Division Two season.

The first XI play their opening Cardiff fixture on Friday when they host Worcestershire– Bragg could be called up if required despite it being the last day of the seconds’ fixture – then head to Leicestershire on April 21.

“I’m going to try and get some time out in the middle in Northampton and get in the groove again after missing out in the last few weeks. I am looking forward to it,” said Bragg.

“It just happened one day in training, my back stiffened up. A scan showed it was a wear and tear injury, it could have been a lot worse and it has just been a case of resting.

“It’s the first pre-season that I’ve missed in 14 years, it’s not ideal but I suppose when you get older you are more prone to injuries and I’m certainly getting older!

“It’s a rejuvenated squad now and I am one of the older guys, which is fine and I’ve got to take on more responsibility as a senior player now.

“The dynamic of the team has changed and it’s good to see so much home-grown talent coming through; I’m sure there are exciting times ahead.”

Bragg is now the oldest Welshman in the squad following the retirements of Mark Wallace and Dean Cosker.

After a fine 2016 in which he racked up 1,126 first-class runs and posted a career best of an unbeaten 161, the number three knows he is now expected to help others along with contributing with the bat.

“It’s gone full circle,” he said. “When I first came into the team I got mentored by older guys who showed me the ropes and I guess that that’s my role now.

“My number one job is to score runs but I also have to try and nurture the young lads coming through, because I can see that they are very talented.

“In cricket you are going to get a lot of bad days as well as good days and it is how you deal with them. You have to try and ride them out, stay on a level plane mentally and then you will come through as a better cricketer.”

That advice is prudent after Glamorgan’s tricky day one and Bragg is targeting a season to remember.

He said: “Personally it’s always about trying to get as many runs as you can and pass that 1,000 barrier. That’s a minimum I’d say, while as a team we want to start competing and pushing for honours, whether in four-day or one-day cricket.

“I think that we have got the squad now to really push on and I am sure over the next few years the youngsters will grow up together and hopefully we will see the fruits of that labour.”

Glamorgan won’t go up against their ex-batsman Mark Cosgrove after the Leicestershire captain was banned for one match for repeated disciplinary offences by the Foxes. They have also been docked 16 points.