Date-stamped : 21 Apr97 - 02:19
GLAMORGAN RECORD ANOTHER EASY WIN OVER WALES

by Andrew Hignell

Glamorgan comfortably defeated Wales Minor Counties in their
second friendly at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff by 95 runs. Their
victory was a formality after the county had amassed a
formidable 312-4 in their 50 overs, with their top three Steve
James, Hugh Morris and Adrian Dale all recording fluent half
centuries. Indeed, it was Dale who batted with most freedom,
making 84 off just 55 balls,and hitting 11 fours. He will face
sterner tests during the season, but he showed that after the
disappointments of previous seasons, he is ready to establish
himself in the number three position.

James and Morris laid the foundations of Glamorgan`s sizeable
total with an opening partnership of 147 in 32 overs. Both
openers found life more comfortable against the Welsh bowlers
than on the previous day, and the two batsmen were able to play
with much more freedom against the Welsh attack, which was
handicapped by an injury to Andrew Rowlands. Before limping off
with ligament damage in his left leg, the Briton Ferry seamer
had been given harsh treatment by Hugh Morris, who hit the
youngster for three fours in one over. James was also quickly
into attacking mode, hitting the first two deliveries from
Marchwiel`s Alex Barr for four and six, and soon afterwards,
Hugh Morris dealt harshly with Matthew Roberts of Ynystawe
hitting the left arm seamer for three consecutive fours.

The two left arm spinners, Mark Davies and Phil North, managed
to put a temporary brake on Glamorgan`s progress, and it was
Davies who made the first breakthrough, as Morris miscued a
drive after making 77. But it was only a temporary respite for
the Welsh bowlers, as James went onto the attack. Having taking
79 balls to reach the half century mark, James raced to 90 off
the next 22, with three fours and a six, and he seemed poised to
become Glamorgan`s first centurion of the season when he was
bowled by David Towse.

Whilst Phil North must have been relieved the see the scoreboard
reading 194-2, the sight of Matthew Maynard striding in to bat
with 12 overs to go must have changed his mood. Indeed, Maynard
hit a quickfire 38, before being caught at deep mid wicket by
substitute fielder Tim Hemp. In the closing overs, the Glamorgan
assault continued as Adrian Dale punished the tiring bowlers,
and together with Tony Cottey, he saw the county side to their
sizeable total.

The Welsh openers, James Williams and Mike Newbold, had few
alarms in the early overs from Gary Butcher and Owen Parkin, but
in the 6th over a rising ball from Butcher struck Williams a
painful blow on the glove, forcing the former Glamorgan batsman
to retire hurt. It later transpired that Williams had fractured
his thumb, and will be out of action for 6 weeks. Darren Thomas
came on as first change at the River End, but the young quick
bowler, who had bowled a disciplined spell on Saturday,
struggled at first for rhythm, conceeding 7 wides in his first 4
overs. The change at the Cathedral Road end saw Adrian Dale
replace Owen Parkin, and it was Dale who took the first Welsh
wicket as Mike Newbold, who had hitherto looked untroubled, was
trapped l.b.w for 40. New batsman Wayne Law, who is also on
Glamorgan`s books, started to impress with a neat and well
organised style, and the former M.C.C. Young Cricketer, was just
getting into his stride when he was deceived by a ball from Tony
Cottey, and was also adjudged leg before. With Robert Croft
likely to be on England duty this summer, Maynard used this
friendly match to experiment with the change bowling that he
could be using when the Test off-spinner is away. The Glamorgan
captain himself also had an extended bowl, as for the second day
running, the final 20 overs of a one-sided contest saw the Welsh
batsmen opt for batting practice rather than go hell for leather
in pursuit of an unlikely target. Mike Powell, a young right
handed batsman from Abergavenny, took the opportunity to make a
well composed 60 before being run out in the penultimate over,
whilst burly all-rounder Matthew Roberts gave Powell useful
support and ended undefeated with 43.

Whilst the two results this weekend may be academic, both of
these games with the Minor County side have been useful practice
for the Glamorgan squad, with everyone in contention for a first
team place getting a chance to impress with either bat or ball.
The weekend has also seen Dean Cosker have a lengthy bowl for
The Rest against England A in the Tetley Shield at Edgbaston,
and the 19 year old left arm spinner is in contention for a
place to partner Robert Croft when Glamorgan begin their
Championship campaign on Wednesday against Warwickshire at
Sophia Gardens.


<END> Contributed by Dr.A.K.Hignell (higgers@rmplc.co.uk)