Glamorgan Have Best of Opening Day

4 wickets for Owen
By Edward Hall
April 24 2002

Glamorgan enjoyed the better of the first day of their three-day friendly against the Cardiff UCCE side at Sophia Gardens. The students were bowled all out for 216, with Owen Parkin the pick of the bowlers finishing with 4 wickets. In reply Glamorgan reached the close on 134 for 4.

Robert Croft, captaining the side with Steve James being rested, lost the toss, but Parkin made quick inroads, reducing their opponents to 8 for 3, before the capable middle order battled back well. Andrew Davies was also given the new ball, giving him some match practice before the Benson and Hedges games, where he is expected to play some part. Alex Wharf, in his first game back from injury, was brought on first change after this opening pair, and managed 11 overs, which also contained 1 wicket. Dean Cosker and Keith Newell were also both given chance to turn their arm, but it was Croft, bringing himself only on for a couple of overs, who finished the innings after an annoying 52 run stand for the last wicket.

In reply, David Hemp showed some form that had eluded him in last weekend’s Championship game against Derbyshire. He raced to 70 off 69 balls, before becoming the second of a quick trio of wickets, reducing the score from 110 for 1 to 119 for 4. Powell scored 20, but Newell and Evans both failed to score heavily, falling before reaching double figures. Ian Thomas and Mark Wallace are the overnight pair, and will be hoping to push on tomorrow to gain a sizeable lead for their team.