Date-stamped : 27 Apr97 - 06:17 James and Morris put Glamorgan in charge By Edward Bevan at Cardiff First day of four: Glamorgan (195-1) lead Warwicks (151) by 44 runs WARWICKSHIRE, who are the bookmakers` favourites to win the Championship this season, were outplayed by Glamorgan - considered by many to be the dark horses - on the opening day of the season at Sophia Gardens. After their batsmen were bundled out for 151 in only 39.4 overs, the Warwickshire bowlers made little impression on Steve James and Hugh Morris (78 not out) who shared a partnership of 190 for the first wicket. Warwickshire, who opted to bat first, were quickly undone by Glamorgan`s seamers, who exploited some early morning moisture in the pitch. After 15 overs, they had slumped to 43 for five. They were soon in trouble as Wasim Khan and Andy Moles, leading the team in the absence of Tim Munton, were dismissed in the opening five overs. Then David Hemp was out to the first ball of the tenth. Matthew Maynard brought Robert Croft into the attack as soon as the former Glamorgan batsman appeared and Hemp obliged by giving a return catch to the bowler. Warwickshire had all sorts of problems against an accurate Glamorgan attack spearheaded by Steve Watkin while Darren Thomas, although wayward at times, was rewarded for a hostile spell with four wickets. Neil Smith attacked with relish hitting Croft for a huge six over long-on and striking five other boundaries before Ashley Giles and Alan Donald rallied their team with a partnership of 51 for the ninth wicket. There were no hidden terrors in the pitch for the Glamorgan openers as they dealt confidently with Donald and Gladstone Small, although Morris gave a sharp chance to gully off Donald after scoring ten. They put on 50 in 14 overs with Morris, starting his 17th first-class season, soon into his stride with a series of drives through the offside. The Glamorgan left-hander, who has trained regularly throughout the winter to strengthen his suspect knees, reached 50 from 95 balls while James accelerated after tea striking seven boundaries in his half century. There was little in the pitch for the Warwickshire bowlers, though Donald bowled an exemplary line and length and was rewarded when he bowled James (83) in the penultimate over of the day. Giles also bowled economically despite a troublesome knee which might require surgery, but the left-arm spinner is anxious to play in Warwickshire`s Benson and Hedges Cup games next week. Meanwhile, England opener Nick Knight practised in the nets and is confident of playing soon following the broken finger he sustained playing in New Zealand last month. Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/) ===============================>Day 3 Morris`s best is marred by blow By Edward Bevan at Cardiff Second day of four: Warwicks (151 & 15-1) trail Glamorgan (551-3 dec) by 385 runs CONSISTENCY has been the Hugh Morris hallmark since he first appeared as a 17-year-old Blundells schoolboy for Glamorgan 16 years ago, yet his achievements have been poorly rewarded by the England selectors. Three England appearances neither reflected his talent nor the contribution the left-hander has made to his county`s cause after the retirement of Alan Jones. Morris scored his customary century in the opening game of the season against Warwickshire yesterday - the fifth time he has achieved the landmark in the past six seasons - before reaching a career-best 233 not out. But he might not remember much of his innings as he was carried off on a stretcher after being struck on the head from a short delivery by Allan Donald. The Glamorgan opener was taken to hospital for an X-ray, but was then discharged. Morris, who scored a double century in the opening game here last season, against Yorkshire, also recorded the highest individual score by a Glamorgan batsman against Warwickshire as the Welsh county surpassed their highest total against the opposition. They also denied the championship favourites a single bonus point. This was the first time, since bonus points were introduced in 1968, that Warwickshire - apart from rain-affected games and contrived declarations - have failed to secure a bonus point in a championship game. If the weather does not interefere over the final two days Glamorgan could well be greeting Waqar Younis when he arrives next week with maximum points from their opening game. Warwickshire`s hopes of an early breakthrough were dispelled as nightwatchman Steve Watkin remained with Morris for 70 minutes to add 59 runs for the second wicket before slicing Ashley Giles to backward point. Morris, who reached the 50th century of his career - his 49th for Glamorgan - from 250 balls, then settled into a productive partnership with Adrian Dale, who became the third Glamorgan batsman to take full advantage of a true pitch. Glamorgan gained their fourth batting point in the 100th over, Morris passed 150 and Dale reached an attractive century. Matthew Maynard predictably declared 400 runs ahead and to compound Warwickshire`s misery Darren Thomas bowled Wasim Kahn in his second over. Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/) ============================>Day 3 Glamorgan get a late break By Edward Bevan at Cardiff Warwicks (151 & 77-3) trail Glamorgan (551-3 dec) by 323 runs THE weather frustrated Glamorgan`s efforts to gain maximum points in their opening championship game yesterday and they will be hoping the Welsh climate improves sufficiently today for their bowlers to make further inroads. When play eventually began at 5 o`clock, with 24 overs remaining, Andy Moles and Graeme Welch made steady progress against Glamorgan`s pace attack. Both batsmen survived confident leg-before appeals against Steve Watkin, then Welch was dropped at second slip off Darren Thomas, who again obtained movement and lift from the pitch. However Robert Croft made the initial breakthrough when Welch mistimed a drive to mid-off and there was further encouragement for the Welsh county when Thomas had nightwatchman Allan Donald well caught by wicket-keeper Adrian Shaw. Hugh Morris, who was taken to hospital on Wednesday evening after being struck on the head by Donald, did not field, but the left-handed opener is expected to be fit for tomorrow`s opening AXA Life League game. Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/) Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com)