Glamorgan's county championship season could not have begun in worse fashion. To start with an away fixture against the champions was never going to be easy, but Glamorgan know they did not do themselves justice with a sloppy performance at Edgbaston.

They batted poorly on the first day, having got themselves into a reasonable position, and from then were battling to stay in the game.

Ashley Giles is a decent cricketer, much better than he has often been given credit for, especially before last summer when he at last expressed himself in Test cricket, but there is no way he should have been getting six wickets on the opening day with his left arm spin.

In fact, no orthodox spinner should be garnering such a haul on the first day of a championship game, especially as the pitch was apparently a good one. Silly shot selection was at the heart of it and then when some catches were put down, that was it for Glamorgan.

This loss has already prompted some to declare it is imperative for Glamorgan to sign another overseas player. Well, I said that before the season began. Now, I actually think Robert Croft and John Derrick are in an awkward situation.

I never fully understood the reasons for not signing a second foreigner because it was said Glamorgan were backing their home-grown talent. That did not wash because if Mike Kasprowicz had not been selected for the Ashes tour he would have been here and Glamorgan would have had two overseas players. But the problem is now Glamorgan have backed their own they must also be seen to back them for a sufficient length of time.

For instance, it could be argued that Glamorgan might be well served by signing a foreign opening batsman. The pitches in division one are generally better and sides are often more inclined to look to draw first with big runs on the board, then maybe look to win afterwards.

So another opener might be a good idea, but how would that leave Ian Thomas? He was given the nod for the first match, so surely should be given a run in the side (I reckon 4/5 matches are sufficient) to prove himself.

He has never really been given that before, even though he has played a good deal of first team cricket - more often than not he has been filling in because of injury. So Croft and Derrick need to be careful about the messages they are sending out to their players.

It is also not an easy situation for them because it is ok saying Glamorgan need another overseas player, but finding that player is another matter altogether. Darren Lehmann, surprisingly left out of the Ashes tour, is one name which has been bandied around but there are apparently problems with his mother being ill and Hampshire are believed to be monitoring his availability very closely because their own Simon Katich will soon join up with Australia.

South Africa's Andre Nel is another who is being touted as available (after the tour to the West Indies) should Glamorgan decide to go for a bowler rather than a batsman. There is also Jimmy Maher to consider, but I would have thought it unlikely for him to be approached after he appeared to fall out with Croft at the start of last season when he was not granted time off to attend team-mate Andrew Symonds' wedding.

Jacques Kallis is someone else I have mentioned in these pages before as he has a year of a contract remaining with Glamorgan, but it is thought he has said he is too tired to contemplate a county season even if his South African skipper Graeme Smith will be at Somerset soon.

Questions, questions. I just wish all this had been sorted before the season began. There was plenty of time to do so because Kasprowicz was always going to make the tour. But now they are in a bit of a quandary.

At least the one day start was hugely promising up at Old Trafford; the rain scuppering what looked like a probable victory after a fine bowling performance led by a fired-up Simon Jones. I thought he bowled exceptionally, taking the new ball and getting three wickets, all with good deliveries.

The rest of the attack looked in good shape too, apart from Darren Thomas, who struggled in two expensive overs. He might have been fortunate to play in front of David Harrison, who looked distraught at being left out, but I doubt whether there will be change for tomorrow night's floodlit match against Essex, the first one under the new lights.

Weather permitting that should be a good occasion, though I'd take your woollies with you.

I'm not sure Wales in late April was what people had in mind when they dreamt of floodlit cricket, but you can't fault Glamorgan's forward thinking and enthusiasm on this one.