The Steel Daffodil: July 2018

Friday, July 13, 2018

Glamorgan v Sussex, T20, Cardiff, 08/07/18

Following Friday's night's opening fixture victory away at Hampshire, there were high expectations for Glamorgan's first home game of the T20 campaign.

Sadly, on a sweltering afternoon at Sophia Gardens, a lackluster home display resulted in a comfortable 8 wicket win for the visitors from Sussex.

Colin Ingram (who else?) was the mainstay of Glamorgan's 173/4, but too few runs were scored in the 6 over powerplay.

Sussex rarely looked troubled in reply, with the ever excellent Luke Wright smashing 88 off 53 balls.

Cricinfo report here.

Thursday, July 12, 2018

Glamorgan v Northamptonshire, County Championship Division 2, Cardiff, 25-28/06/18

Glamorgan's disappointing Championship season continued as the home side went down to a crushing 233 run defeat to Northamptonshire, who, prior to the game, had been bottom of the table.

In searing heat, with most of the crowd sitting in the shade, Glamorgan conceded a 27 run 1st innings lead, which was largely due to a superb 103 from Usman Khawaja, who became the first Glamorgan player to score 3 centuries in his first 3 games for the club.

Things went downhill from there, as Northants batsmen put the home bowlers to the sword. Ben Duckett returned to form with 133. Set an unlikely target of 433, the Welsh county rarely threatened, with no one passing fifty as they stumbled to 200 all out.

Glamorgan's 4 day form shows real cause for concern.

Cricinfo report and details here.

Timm van der Gugten toiled hard in the heat

A summer heatwave

Khawaja on his way to a record breaking century

Friday, July 6, 2018

Glamorgan v Derbyshire, County Championship Division 2, St Helens, Swansea, 20-23/06/18

After an initial rain delay on day 1, it was blue skies all the way as Glamorgan hosted Derbyshire by the Swansea seaside with the game ultimately going down to the last over as the visitors clung on for a draw.

It seemed strange that Glamorgan chose to bat after the rains cleared and this seemed to be confirmed when Glamorgan were 175/7 at the close of Day 1. Nonetheless they eventually reached 283 helped by 72 not out from Andrew Salter.

Derbyshire claimed a first innings lead of 79, mainly due to a season's best 103 from Alex Hughes. Glamorgan batted much better second time around as a second successive century from Usman Khawaja and a brilliant 152 from Kiran Carlson set up a chase of 325 for Derbyshire.

Despite being 128 for 8 with 15 overs to go the Derbyshire tail clung on for a draw to leave the Welsh county disappointed with the result, but pleased with a successful 5 days cricket at St Helens.

Cricinfo report and details here

Thursday, July 5, 2018

England v Australia, 2nd ODI, Cardiff, 16/06/18

Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, was the host venue for the 2nd One Day International in the Royal London five-match series between England and Australia, and it was reflection of the current status of the hosts as an excellent side and Australia, missing their best players, definitely rebuilding.

On the drive to the ground, I wondered what I'd like to see at the game: England to bat first with a score of over 300 featuring at least one century, a good Australia run chase, yet unsuccessful, and a century for Glamorgan's Shaun Marsh. I was in luck.

After being inserted, England wasted little time in getting away to a great start. Jason Roy was aggressive in scoring 120. Despite a few rain interruptions, England seemed to move effortlessly past 300, aided by a fine 91 not out from Jos Buttler.

The sun came out in the afternoon, and Australia briefly threatened. Glamorgan's Shaun Marsh was in familiar surroundings and his 131 was generously applauded by the locals. When he went, the game was up for Australia, as England went 2-0 up in the series.

Cricinfo report and details here.