DIRECTOR of cricket Mark Wallace believes competition for starting spots will be fierce when Glamorgan play a series of intra-squad warm-ups.

Matthew Maynard's squad will get under way in competitive action on August 1 after the delay of the campaign because of the coronavirus crisis.

They will start with red ball cricket next month when the counties battle for the Bob Willis Trophy - fixtures are yet to be confirmed - before the T20 Blast is played to try and boost the coffers after the pandemic.

Glamorgan returned to training at the start of July and will play the first of a pair of T20 games today before a two-day match on Thursday and Friday.

The final tune-up will be a three-day practice game starting on Sunday with all of the encounters played behind closed doors.

South Wales Argus:

"We want to give as many of our players a chance to put their name forward for a place in the side, and we believe that these intra-squad games are the best preparation we can have for the season ahead", said director of cricket Mark Wallace.

"We can give more of the squad an opportunity than we would normally be able to in friendlies against other counties.

"We've got depth at the club in a number of positions and there's some strong competition for places.

"Playing both T20 and red-ball matches gives the guys a chance to showcase their different skills and get the team as prepared as possibly for the busy schedule."

Newport's Callum Taylor has already started his push for Glamorgan action by enjoying a strong weekend as clubs returned to action in Wales.

The all-rounder played two games for the Spytty Park club, the first in an eight-wicket win against the county's academy.

The youngsters posted 222/6 from 45 overs with Harry Friend, from Ross-on-Wye, top-scoring with 95.

Newport won the rain-affected game with Taylor unbeaten on 46 in 110/2.

The following day they chased down 220 in a friendly against Premier League rivals Cardiff with Friend this time scoring 42 when opening for Newport before Taylor struck an 81-ball 85.

Clubs will play competitive cricket on August 1 in the South East Wales Cricket League's 40-over competition.

There will be 19 groups for the competition with teams grouped by relative strength and last year's tables. Pool winners will progress.

Pool A: Newport, Cardiff, Bridgend, St Fagans.

Pool 1: Newbridge, Malpas, Penarth, Cowbridge.

Pool 2: Newport Fugitives, Sudbrook, Panteg, Pentyrch, Usk, Chepstow.

Pool 3: Lisvane, Blackwood, Llandaff, Croesyceiliog, Radyr, Abergavenny.

Pool 4: Aberdare, Pontypridd, Tondu, Llandaff II, Whitchurch-Heath, Brecon.

Pool 5: Merthyr Tydfil, Creigiau, Pontymister and Crosskeys, Sully, Vale, Crumlin.

Pool 6: Cardiff II, Tondu II, Miskin Manor II, Barry Athletic, Rogerstone Welfare, St Fagans II.

Pool 7: Chepstow II, Lisvane II, Newport II, Ponthir, Ungy and Magor, Monkswood.

Pool 8: Abercynon, Cardiff III, Mountain Ash, Whitchurch-Heath II, Pentyrch II, Bridgend Town II.

Pool 9: Abergavenny II, Newport Fugitives II, Brecon II, Newport III, Llanarth, Machen.

Pool 10: Abercarn, Usk II, Croesyceiliog II, Ebbw Vale, Sudbrook II, Llandaff III.

Pool 11: Abertillery, Newbridge II, Blaina, Pontnewynydd, Malpas II, Lisvane III.

Pool 12: Bay Dragons, Sully Spartans, Christchurch, Merthyr Tydfil II, Ton Pentre, Upper Rhondda.

Pool 13: Barry Athletic II, Miskin Manor III, Blaengarw, Llantwit Fardre, Creigiau II, Penarth III.

Pool 14: Barry Wanderers, Bridgend Town III, Cynon Valley, Porth, Lisvane IV, St Fagans III.

Pool 15: Blackwood Town II, Tredegar, Monkswood II, Monmouth II, Ponthir II, Cefn Fforest and Maesycwmmer.

Pool 16: Abergavenny III, Pontymister and Crosskeys II, Newport IV, Rogerstone Welfare II, Newport Fugitives III, Bay Dragons II.

Pool 17: Monmouth III, Llanarth II, Pontymister and Crosskeys III, Abercarn II, South Wales Sri Lankans, Abergavenny IV.

Pool 18: Croesyceiliog III, Creigiau III, St Fagans IV, Cardiff Kits, Sully Spartans II, Abercynon II.

Match reports and pictures can be emailed to sportsdesk@southwalesargus.co.uk