GLAMORGAN captain Robert Croft has taken a swipe at those who have written off Glamorgan as relegation candidates in the County Championship, telling them, "Your criticism only makes us stronger."

Glamorgan's popular skipper delivered his message loud and clear on the eve of the new cricket season, which gets under way for Glamorgan today with a four-day Championship match against Warwickshire at Edgbaston.

Croft, who will again skipper a youthful side, believes that Glamorgan will only go from strength to strength this season despite what the doom and gloom merchants are predicting.

He explained: "I am really excited about the challenge of this season and we have all to play for in all competitions.

"I am really happy about the fact that many people are tipping us to go down (Glamorgan were promoted last season after finishing third in the second tier of the Championship) and it will serve as an inspiration to everybody in the squad, it suits me down to the ground actually!"

Glamorgan head into the season with only one overseas player on board, Australian Test batsman Matthew Elliott.

Fellow Aussie Michael Kasprowicz is still contracted to Glamorgan but is heavily involved in the Ashes squad and is not available for Glamorgan this summer.

But Croft sees the lack of overseas players in the side as a positive rather than a negative and admits that he is proud of the way Glamorgan nurture young talent.

"Our squad sits very well with me now and I have confidence in all the boys. If Simon Jones and Alex Wharf both get picked for England then maybe we will look at it again, but for now we have confidence in the players we can pick," he said.

"I am disappointed that more teams don't take the approach of really trying to pick and groom young home grown talent, but we can only look at what we are doing.

"We want to give the most chance for home-grown players to play and we will show that this season."

Glamorgan have changed one aspect of their side for this season, which is good news for two Gwent products.

Newport's Ian Thomas will open the batting in the county championship this year, taking over the duty from Abergavenny's Mark Wallace, who is moved to number six in the order as he also keeps wicket.

Wallace was not able to score as many runs as he wished last season, but Croft feels he will profit from playing lower down the order.

He explained: "We are looking at what is best for Mark in terms of his long-term progress and perhaps it is a tough ask to open the batting and keep wicket.

"If you look at Australia, Adam Gilchrist could open the batting but he doesn't. He is best used further down the order.

"Ian Thomas has worked very hard and he has got the nod to open ahead of John Hughes and Dan Cherry, which was tough, but I like having these problems and it is a great chance for Ian to stick his hand up and take his chance."

Team v Warwickshire from: I Thomas, Elliott, Hemp, Powell, Maynard, Wallace, Croft, D Thomas, D Harrrison, A Wharf, S Jones, Cosker.