Glamorgan coach Jeff Hammond has spoken out about Robert Croft`s omission from the England side for the Fourth Test against Australia.

The Welsh spinner has been included in the Test squad for the last three Tests but has only played in one, and then bowled just three overs at Trent Bridge.

Hammond says he is absolutely bewildered by England's strategy of overlooking the Welshman."To say I'm angry about the issue is an understatement," said Hammond."I'm so bewildered at what's happening. I really feel for Robert's situation. He's virtually had three starts for Glamorgan all season and there's times when he has gone two weeks without bowling a ball in a game.

"I could come to grips with it if the guy was on a contract but he's not on central contract so what are they trying to do? Are they just meddling with the guy's future? Not only that but what value is it to Glamorgan?"

"Robert must be shattered being thrown from pillar to post. It can't do much for his confidence and it's doesn't do a lot for Glamorgan's cause either."

"They had taken him up to Headingley because the pitch was very devoid of grass. To me you stick with your guns and be done with it. I find it very hard to fathom that England can't go into a Test match without a spinner. To me it's a throwback to the West Indies when they played four magnificent quick bowlers, but they still had Roger Harper to back them up. I'm totally bewildered by it. I have respect for the England coach Duncan Fletcher but I just worry about the strategy."

© South Wales Evening Post