Glamorgan coach Robert Croft believes the county can get their season off to a winning start at Northamptonshire.

The opening round of Specsavers County Championship matches begins on Friday with Division Two Glamorgan in four-day action at Wantage Road.

Last season Glamorgan were on the wrong end of both matches against Northants despite memorable performances from Lukas Carey and Kiran Carlson, so the Welsh county will be looking to end this sequence against the East Midlands side in order to start their campaign on the right track.

Croft said: “Northamptonshire are a good team and beat us twice last year, but we have a strong squad and if we play to our strengths and focus on our own game we can come away with a positive result.”

Marquee signing Marchant de Lange is included in the squad after arriving in Cardiff on Tuesday, while there is also space for new Middlesex loan signing Harry Podmore.

Jacques Rudolph returns to captain the side and is joined by South African compatriot Colin Ingram, who returns to the four-day side after injury ruled him out of action in the Championship format last year.

Young Welsh players Carlson, Carey and Owen Morgan who all signed their first professional contracts with Glamorgan before Christmas after impressing last season are once again included.

‘We are delighted to finally have Marchant with us,” added Croft.

“He brings real X factor and cutting edge to our bowling attack as well as proven international experience.”

Glamorgan (13-man) squad to play Northants: Rudolph (c), Selman, Lloyd, Ingram, Cooke, Donald, Carlson, Meschede, Morgan, Salter, De Lange, Carey, Podmore.