Jamie Dalrymple has been appointed captain of Glamorgan for the 2009 season. He has made 27 ODI appearances for England, the last coming in England’s defeat to the West Indies at the World Cup in 2007. He began his career at Middlesex before moving to Glamorgan at the beginning of the 2008 season. He was talking to Sam Collins.

How was your winter?

The squad went on a pre-season trip to Cape Town for two weeks. We played against a few of the academies out there and the Holland national side who were warming up for the World Cup qualifiers – varied opposition but it was great to be outside playing on grass, which makes you more ready to go when you get back.

Was captaincy on your mind when you decided to move from Middlesex?

No. I left because I wanted to get my cricket back in my own hands in a positive environment and just get back to batting, bowling and fielding. It’s something that developed and I’m very excited to be given the opportunity. I’m blessed with a very good bunch of guys and a lot of talented young players down here.

Why do England suddenly have so much depth in the spin department?

There’s been an England spin coach (ECB performance director David Parsons) in place for a couple of years now and that is indicative of this focus on spin. Spinners in county cricket have been seen to do well, spinners have also contributed hugely in T20 cricket which is a big part of the game now. When there is a focus on something you suddenly find that it starts developing.

Have you personally benefited from David Parsons’ regime?

I had a very good time when I was up at the Academy two or three winters ago. That was useful for me. I have not bowled as many overs as I would have liked in the last couple of seasons. I am very much at the stage now where I just want to get overs under my belt again and get back on the right road.

How much of a fillip is it for Glamorgan hosting an Ashes Test?

It’s fantastic that the cricket is coming down to Glamorgan, and that we’ve got an excellent stadium as well to generate the interest. From the county perspective we are hoping that the increased attention is going to help drag the crowds down to us again. If we drive our performance levels up, then no doubt the support will come in. The atmosphere down here is fantastic. People are going to get quite a surprise when England get up and running. If they play well down here they will find themselves in a great atmosphere.

How have the Welsh accepted you?

They’ve been very good to me. They left me alone after the Six Nations last year, and this year England finished second while they finished fourth which has made it even more bearable.

Who is your best friend in cricket?

Ed Joyce – formerly of Middlesex and now of Sussex. I hope he can get back into the England set-up. Ed is an absolutely top-class player when he is playing well, and it will be good to see him with a smile on his face batting long periods of time again.

Sam Collins is web-editor of thewisdencricketer.com