GLAMORGAN cricketer Adrian Dale (pictured) hopes to be fit for the opening county championship match of the season after a successful shoulder operation on Tuesday.

But if he does make the four-day match with Derbyshire at Derby beginning on April 18, it will be as a batsman only.

Dale, now one of Glamorgan's senior players at the age of 34, had an operation to repair wear and tare to tendons in his right shoulder.

"It was something that had become gradually worse over the years," said the Chepstow product.

"It was still troubling me during pre-season training so we decided to get it fixed now rather than wait.

"The recovery time is two to three weeks, so hopefully I'll be fit to face Derbyshire, though only as a batsman.

"But I will be fit to bowl in time for the start of the one-day games (away to Leicestershire on May 4) when it will be of more importance to the county."

Dale had to take painkillers to get through some games towards the end of last season.

But he explained, "Even though there was some discomfort towards the end of last season, it was not so much the bowling but the throwing that caused the main problem."