The West Indian star and general all-rounder Sammy continues to pick up his Glamorgan cameo in Cardiff this evening whilst Kevin Pietersen lines is set to feature in a Surrey side which also includes South African captain Hashim Amla.
Fresh and straight from their Indian Premier League field battles, Sammy and Pietersen are going to resume their Twenty20 hostilities in balmy conditions within the Swalec Stadium on Friday evening – set for 6.30pm.
Sammy’s Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated the Delhi Daredevils who have been captained by Pietersen for their recent doomed IPL campaign. Hence the West Indian all-rounder is going to be planning to acquire a notable hat-trick over cricket’s most controversial character.
Welsh cricket fans may have the opportunity to witness Sammy continuing his Twenty20 Glamorgan cameo in Cardiff against Pietersen who lines in a Surrey side which also includes South African captain Hashim Amla.
The star-studded rivals will likely become team-mates the following month once they lineup within the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) for the St Lucia Zouks.
That team is going to be coached by former Glamorgan and England batsman Matthew Maynard that has dealt with both players and is also in a position to evaluate their qualities.
“It will be great to see Sammy and KP on opposite sides this Friday and also on my side next month,” said Maynard.
“I have found them both to be excellent cricketers and very good strong characters.
“Darren is a three dimensional cricketer while KP is two-dimensional, which I am sure he won’t mind me saying.
“Kevin is a dangerous player who will take the game away.
“Sammy is more of a finisher than KP so hopefully Glamorgan can get Darren into a position where they can win a game.
“It was encouraging to see in Glamorgan’s last game him not trying to hit the ball as hard. That could be a turning point in terms of his competition.
“His bowling has been good apart from one game at Gloucestershire where he delivered a couple of front foot no-balls.”
Maynard worked with Pietersen during his time as England batting coach. His glowing assessment differs to the ECB’s decision to sack their most talented but controversial batsman following the disastrous tour to Australia.
“Top players in the world can sometimes be perceived as difficult to handle but if you give them responsibility they thrive,” said Maynard.
“I loved working with KP and his work ethic with England was second to none.
“He was a pleasure to work with in the nets. I challenged him and he wanted to see how far I could push him and he responded brilliantly.
“So I have nothing but admiration for him and he’s a wonderful player.
“He can walk into a changing room and lift the environment because people are attracted to KP.
“Along with his work ethic, for a coach that’s fantastic because he can show the guys what it takes to be a top-class performer.
“But he does need to look at himself sometimes.
“He is such a passionate person and sometimes he will say things that might not be necessary at that time.
“I am not saying he is right or wrong. He has an opinion and people have to respect that.
“He was born in South Africa and comes from a different background. He has played over 100 Test matches for England and has a lot to say from his experiences.
“He has played in some very successful sides for England and also teams that have been hammered in Australia.
“He has scored brilliant hundreds all over the world which not many England batsmen have done.
“It seems a shame he is not still in the England set-up but that is their call and I have been on the outside.
“But England’s loss is Surrey and the Zouks gain.”
Maynard was assistant coach to the inaugural CPL last summer when Sammy led his native island side.
“Darren is a wonderful guy,” added Maynard.
“He’s very thoughtful and considerate and a top leader.
“He has a great cricket brain but does not always do things by the book.
“He thinks outside the box which is important for a captain.”
Glamorgan have won three from their opening six games from the 14-match tournament with one-defeat, a no-result plus a tie.
While KP, Sammy and Amla will require top billing today, Maynard believes there’s plenty more talent to be had.
“Both teams who have players who can win a game,” added Maynard, who has covered four T20 Glamorgan games as a BBC Radio Wales pundit.
“Jason Roy can hit the ball well while Jim Allenby and Michael Hogan have been playing really well for Glamorgan.
“So there is a lot of firepower on show.
“I have watched four of Glamorgan’s games so far and each one has been a nail-biter.
“So there is no reason to suggest why this one against Surrey should not be also.
“But Glamorgan will be disappointed if they didn’t qualify for the knockout stages from this position.”
This match is staged just a couple of days following a second anniversary of the tragic death of Matthew’s son Tom who played for Glamorgan and Surrey.
“We have a special link between the two counties with Tom and there have always been great matches between Glamorgan and Surrey,” added Maynard.
“He started at Glamorgan but his career was flourishing at Surrey and he was loving it there.
“It has been a tough week.
“There is not a day that goes by we don’t miss Tom but on anniversary’s it becomes very tough.
“It is even more of a constant reminder but we are managing.
“I am trying to keep busy, my wife Sue is back teaching and daughter Ceri is down in London working.
“We are all trying to keep busy and not thinking about it all the time.”
A memorial cricket match is going to be held at St Fagans cricket club on Friday, June 27 with Matthew bringing a star-studded team to play a nearby side, with all the profits going to the Tom Maynard Trust.
“It has been a long time in the preparation and hats off to everyone at St Fagans who have worked tirelessly to organise it,” added Maynard.
“It takes time but St Fagans is a club close to mine and Tom’s heart and we are grateful to the support they have shown.
“I have just got the side together and I am delighted with the make-up.
“I’m really looking forward to the day and we have some fantastic names lined up to play.
“Last year’s event was wonderful, but the rain frustrated us, so we’re really hoping for some sunshine.
“As always, St Fagans have done us proud with their organising and it’ll be an enjoyable day.”
Glamorgan hope Andrew Flintoff, among the four Tom Maynard Trust patrons, is going to be available alongside the likes of Ashes 2005 team-mate Simon Jones, South African batsman Jacques Rudolph, Glamorgan captains Mark Wallace and Jim Allenby, ex Australian all-rounder Ian Harvey, Welsh boxing legend Joe Calzaghe and former Wales rugby internationals Nicky Robinson and Rhys Williams.
The Twenty20 match starts at 3pm and is preceded with a special marquee lunch, now sold-out, with entertainment being offered by Rod Woodward while Robert Croft will do a special auction.
The match is available to everyone, with admission £5 for adults and children being admitted totally free where there will be a barbecue during the late afternoon.
