Glamorgan middle-order face stability questions against students

Glamorgan batters had questions asked of them in a rain-affected opening day against Cardiff UCCE.

With a rain delay to start off April, it looked as though no play was likely on day one of the three-day friendly at Sophia Gardens. When the sun overcame the pouring clouds, a toss was possible and two-and-a-half hours of cricket was manageable.

The professionals looked to be in a hurry to get into their work after losing half the day’s play with captain David Lloyd leading by the front.

Lloyd made a Bazball-style 48 off 44 balls including back-to-back sixes off the bowling of Elliot Mason and looked unlikely to be dismissed before edging to second slip.

With the opening partnership being broken at 68 and the bowling change to UAE youth international, Vinayak Vijaya it all took a turn against the Glamorgan script.

Eddie Byrom departed shortly after for 33, causing a collapse of the middle order, who made just 11 runs between the four of them.

Overseas Colin Ingram was first to go, departing for just one, leaving a straight delivery from contracted teammate Ben Morris. Northeast fell to the same form of dismissal for a duck, this time off the bowling of Vijaya.

Vijaya (4-33) and Morris (3-23) shared the wickets of Carlson and Root, both for single figures before the recovery.

At 126-7 it took stability from Chris Cooke and Andrew Salter to steer Glamorgan out of danger, adding 40 with no further damage to the wickets column before the close of play.

Picture: Glamorgan Cricket