GLAMORGAN'S new Australian batsman, Jimmy Maher, today promised fans "I will do well over here. It will happen."
Maher was speaking after an immensely frustrating start to the season, with all four of Glamorgan's county championship games ruined by the weather.
In the game against Kent, which ended at Swansea yesterday, the final two days were virtuality rained off, leaving another draw.
Only an hour of play was possible yesterday, but at least the eight bonus points Glamorgan won enabled them to climb off the bottom of Division One into sixth place. But Maher says he's not worrying about the rain nor his own form and promises better times ahead.
"It's been a bit frustrating, especially hanging around for four days at Old Trafford recently, but you can't control the weather, so there's no point in worrying about it," said the Queenslander.
"It's been hard to get any momentum or rhythm, but I see that as another sort of challenge to make sure you learn to switch on and switch off.
"Batting is all about switching on and switching off, even when you're out in the middle." In his four championship innings to date, Maher has twice scored 34 (once not out), 29 and 12.
Apart from his superb 142 not out against Gloucestershire in the B and H Cup, his highest score in six one-day innings has been 19. But he feels he has been a bit unlucky. "It's a big challenge coming here and one of the tests is playing on all kinds of different pitches.
"They've certainly all been very different so far and that takes a bit of adjusting to, but once again it's a tremendous opportunity for me to learn more about myself and the game.
"In terms of my batting, I've felt good at the crease every time I've got out there. But I seem to have found different ways of getting out every time.
"One game I was caught off a tickle down the leg side, which doesn't happen very often, and in the first innings against Kent it was a rank long hop which hit the back of the glove and bounced up to the wicketkeeper.
"It's nothing to worry about. It's a stage in your game you go through. I'm certainly not panicking or looking to change anything.
"I know I'm going well and the worse thing I could do would be to think too deeply into it. "You don't lose your ability overnight and I know I'm good enough to do well and I will do well over here. It will happen."
Maher has been thrilled with the friendly reception he has received at Glamorgan and believes he can score a lot of runs on the Cardiff square.
"The Cardiff pitch is playing fantastically well. The groundstaff have done a brilliant job.
"We've got some very good pitches at home at the Gabba in Queensland, but the guys at Cardiff have done very well. The wicket and the outfield are spot on," he said. "Cardiff is certainly slower than Australia, you have to expect that with the climate, but it's still a true wicket and so far has been an absolute belter to bat on.."
And of the recent awarding of his county cap, he said: "It is great to part of the Glamorgan tradition and folk lore."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article