JUDGE me at the end of my Glamorgan stay and not on my reputation - that was Sourav Ganguly's plea to Welsh cricket followers yesterday.

The India Test captain was charm personified as he answered questions at a Sophia Gardens Press conference ahead of his county championship debut against Sussex at Swansea today.

And asked about his alleged aloofness in his time at Lancashire five years ago when he was referred to as Lord Snooty, the 31-year-old said: "I am not aloof, just a quiet person.

"I like to spend my time off the field at home with my wife and family, but I will mix with the boys as well when I get the opportunity.

"Sometimes you face criticism and sometimes you have positive write-ups. That's part and parcel of professional sport. You have to take it in your stride.

"I made friends at Lancashire such as Michael Atherton, Neil Fairbrother and Andrew Flintoff and I think I will do so at Glamorgan.

"I'm young and I don't mind a few pranks. If a few of my cricket bats go missing from the dressing-room I will know where to go.

"But in terms of being aloof, people have to realise things are different in Britain to India. In India we don't go to a bar or a night club - we don't have good ones.

"The Glamorgan players will have an answer to those questions at the end of the season. Judge me then."

On Glamorgan's predicament in propping up the county championship, Ganguly said: "I'm here for two months and for seven (of 11) championship games. If we play to our potential we can turn things around. In sport, it just takes one game to do that.

"What Glamorgan must do is forget about the five lost games and start afresh. What's happened can happen to any side in the world. You just have to come out tomorrow feeling confident and being positive.

"If we have 65% to 70% success in the next two months in all forms of the game, hopefully I will have done a good job.

"Cricket is a huge passion back home, similar to being a professional soccer player here, so for me playing for Glamorgan is a good change from a busy life and I hope I can relax and play my best cricket.

"I feel my stint at Glamorgan will help me while I hope the Glamorgan boys will benefit both from my performances and my experience."

Glamorgan skipper Robert Croft commented: "It's an honour to have Sourav in the team. He's a fantastic leader and a fantastic player.

"We want him to enjoy the Glamorgan experience for, if he enjoys playing, the cricket will take care of itself. There is no weight of expectation on him from us whatsoever."