GLAMORGAN v YORKSHIRE

Evening Update

Finlay Bean’s unbeaten 88 had seen Yorkshire to 217-1 at tea, and with Shan Masso also on 63*, Yorkshire’s decision to bat first in the overcast and humid conditions seemed a sound one. The cloud cover had dissipated by the final session and the visitors looked set to secure a clutch of batting points in the evening sunshine as Carlson and McIlroy resumed the bowling duties.

However, in the third over of the session, Bean miscued a drive against Carlson and edged to Colin Ingram at slip. 225-2 saw James Wharton joined Masood who drove Carlson over the head of the cover fielder but with the total on 240, Wharton departed l.b.w. playing forward to McIlroy. George Hill made his way to the middle to join his captain and he began by on-driving Carlson to mid-wicket as the White Roses reached 250 and a first batting point in the 59th over.

Hill celebrated with a lofted straight drive against Carlson before Masood greeted the return of Harris by driving the seamer through mid-off. Hill also drilled Carlson through mid-off for four before Masood completed his hundred from 132 balls with a quick single against Carlson. Hill also straight drove the home captain for four before square-driving Harris through point as well as off-driving Carlson and punching Gorvin off the back foot through extra-cover en route to a 76-ball fifty.

Afternoon Update

Yorkshire had reached 86-0 at lunch and Adam Lytch was soon into his stride on the same pitch used for the ODI by pulling McIlroy for four with Bean flicking Andy Gorvin to square-leg for four before pummeling him through extra-cover for another boundary. But, with the total on 98, Lyth chopped a ball from McIlroy onto his stumps and was replaced by Shan Masood. The visiting captain began by inside-edging Gorvin for four before steering him through extra-cover.

Bean reached his fifty from 79 balls with another well-placed glide off his legs against McIlroy before Harris returned at the River End. Ben Kellaway also replaced McIlroy at the Cathedral Road End and was driven for four by Masood before, next over, being injured as he chased the ball and fell heavily after diving over the boundary rope. Kiran Carlson duly replaced him and was straight driven for four by Masood, who then pulled Harris to mid-wicket as his side continued their serene progress on the used surface.

Masood then unfurled a sublime off-drive for four against Carlson before completing his fifty from 58 balls. Bean also lofted Carlson for four to long-on before sweeping him to the ropes at square-leg. He also flicked him to fine-leg

Lunchtime Update

As far as promotion is concerned, this is a must-win game for Glamorgan who, after their 80-run defeat at Worcester on Tuesday, have slipped down to fourth place in the Division Two table. They came very close to victory at Headingley earlier in the season where Yorkshire’s last pair survived the final six balls of a gripping contest.

With Timm van der Gugten having sustained a hamstring injury at New Road, Glamorgan made one change to their line-up with Andy Gorvin replacing the Dutch international. However, shortly after the toss, rain started to fall over Sophia Gardens and delayed the start until 1210 noon with 18 overs lost in the day’s allocation. James Harris and Jamie McIlroy shared the new ball. Finlay Bean square-drove and pulled Harris for four before clipping McIlroy to square-leg for leg. Adam Lyth also off-drove Harris for four before drilling McIlroy through extra-cover.

Lyth then cover-drove Harris for a pair of fours to bring up the 50 in the twelfth over before Ben Kellaway entered the attack at the Cathedral Road End, with Zain ul Hassan operating at the River End and being drilled to the ropes behind square by Lyth. Bean also flicked him to square-leg for four as Yorkshire made a decent start.

Close of Play Report

Glamorgan began the final session on 53-2 as Yorkshire opted for the spin of Dom Bess at the River End and alternating seamers at the Cathedral Road End. The combination worked as in the seventh over of the session, Bess bowled Northeast. Kiran Carlson announced his arrival with a cover-driven four against the spinner before lofting Bess for six to long-on. Matt Revis then found the top edge of Byrom’s bat with the ball soaring over the heads of the slip fielders but later in the over he skewed a drive into the gully where Finlay Bean held a good low catch as Glamorgan slipped to 83-4.

Carlson continued to find the ropes as he punched Revis through extra-cover followed by a deft reverse-sweep against Bess, but with the total on 96 Billy Root feathered a rising delivery from Revis into the wicket-keeper’s gloves. Chris Cooke began with a flick to fine-leg but two balls later he was trapped l.b.w. by Revis as Glamorgan declined further to 100-6.

With concussion substitute Dan Douthwaite defending stoutly, Carlson lofted Bess for four before pushing the ball for one’s and two’s as Cliff returned to the fray and was on-driven for four by Douthwaite, who then swatted a short ball to the ropes at mid-wicket. Carlson had a moment of good fortune as edged a ball from George Hill through the slips before completing his fifty from 57 balls with a single to mid-off.

Afternoon Update

Yorkshire were 448-6 from 107 overs when play resumed after lunch with Kiran Carlson and James Harris resuming the bowling duties. Dom Bess cover-drove both bowlers but with the total on 482 Masood drove Harris into Northeast’s hands at cover and departed for 192. Jordan Thompson then departed l.b.w.to Harris’ next delivery before four overs later Ben Coad edged Carlson into Colin Ingram’s hands at slip. Bess brought up the 500 with a sweep for four against Carlson before next ball Ben Cliff was run out by Zain ul Hassan as the last wicket pair tried to run a quick single to mid-wicket.

ul Hassan was swiftly back into action as he opened the Glamorgan innings with Eddie Byrom with 50 overs remaining. The former guided Thompson to third man for four but in the fifth over he was bowled by Coad. 10-1 saw Ingram join Byrom who cover-drove Thompson but, after Ingram had steered Thompson to third man he was bowled by Thompson.

19-2 saw the arrival of Sam Northeast in the middle and he began by clipping Thompson to backward square-leg for four. Byrom then flicked Cliff to the ropes at mid-wicket, before guiding him through point and drilling him through mid-on for another four. Northeast then punched Coad through extra-cover before Byrom survived a sharp chance to Finlay Bean in the gully as he drove at Cliff. He celebrated by dispatching the next two deliveries through extra-cover and point, with Northeast also edging Coad through the hands of Lyth at first slip

Morning update

Yorkshire had enjoyed by far the better of the opening day of this contest, reduced to 78 overs by morning rain with a high-class hundred from Shan Masood - his first for the White Roses - seeing his side to 330-3 at the close of play on the pitch which was used last Friday for the England-New Zealand One-Day International.

From a Glamorgan perspective, much attention was focused overnight on the health of Ben Kellaway, the teenage all-rounder who had taken a nasty tumble whilst trying to stop a boundary mid-afternoon yesterday and had spent the rest of the day off the field receiving treatment. Following the completion of the concussion protocols this morning, the youngster was formally replaced for the remainder of the game by Dan Douthwaite.

Morning rain also delayed the start of play until 1100 with 8 overs being lost from the daily quota of 104. Jamie McIlroy and James Harris resumed the bowling duties with the new ball available after two overs. Masood edged Harris through the slips for four before Hill clipped him to square-leg. Masood also steered Harris through the covers off the back foot before Hill drilled him through extra-cover for another coruscating four. But the bowler had the last laugh as with the final delivery of the over the umpire upheld an l.b.w. appeal against Hill.

373-4 saw the arrival of Jonathan Tattersall with Masood elegantly straight-driving Andy Gorvin for four before completing his 150 by clipping ul Hassan for a single to mid-wicket. But by this time he had been joined by Matt Revis after Tattersall had been caught down the leg-side by a diving Chris Cooke after trying to glance Gorvin. Revis began by punching Gorvin through point before on-driving ul Hassan for four and seeing Yorkshire to another batting point.

Revis then harpooned Carlson for four to mid-wicket before Masood greeted the return of McIlroy to the attack by on-driving him for four. But in the penultimate over before lunch Revis under-edged a reverse-sweep onto his stumps against Carlson as Glamorgan secured their second bowling point with the total on 446-6.

Evening Update

Glamorgan were 35-2 when play resumed after tea, still 192 runs in arrears, with Sam Northeast quickly into his stride as he off-drove and on-drove Ben Cliff for a pair of fours before top-edging a pull against the Championship debutant to the ropes at fine-leg. Byrom also glided Cliff safely through the slips before flat-batting Bess through the covers. The opener also swept the next delivery behind square on the legside for another four, before Northeast cover drove Cliff.

Byrom cut Revis over the head of the slip cordon for four before gloving a rising delivery in the same direction much to the angst of the visiting bowler. Byrom then square-cut him to the point boundary followed by a swot to mid-wicket.

With the light deteriorating Adam Lyth replaced Revis with the umpires deeming that it was too gloomy for seam bowling. Byrom completed his fifty with a nurdle for two from his 102nd delivery with Northeast also defending stoically at the other end, besides working the ball around for singles. However, with five overs remaining the light became too dark to continue and the players left the field with Glamorgan on 120-2.

Afternoon Report

Glamorgan had reached 213-7 at lunch still 287 runs in arrears but Yorkshire were able to take the new ball after one over of the afternoon session, delivered by Adam Lyth. Ben Coad struck with the first delivery as Douthwaite departed l.b.w. as well as the second as he bowled James Harris before Jamie McIlroy blocked the hat-trick ball before next over clipping Jordan Thompson to square-leg for four and then on-driving Coad for four. Not to be outdone, Gorvin then struck George Hill for a straight six before Mcilroy drove Revis to long-off to bring up a batting point with the total on 250.

Gorvin then on-drove Revis for another four before McIlroy pulled the all-rounder for a huge six over fine-leg. He then brought up the fifty stand by cover-driving Bess with Gorvin then on-driving Revis for four. But their merry spree ended as Revis bowled Gorvin, with the tenth wicket pair returning to the pavilion with their highest first-class scores under their belt of 47 and 30* respectively.

Trailing by 227, Glamorgan followed-on for the twelfth time in games against the White Roses. It was also the first time they had done so in a match between the two teams at Sophia Gardens, and the first time for 45 years with the most recent being at Sheffield in 1978. Coad soon made inroads as he had Zain ul Hassan caught at first slip from the third delivery of the innings. Eddie Byrom clipped Thompson to mid-wicket before guiding Coad safely through the slips for a second boundary.

Colin Ingram then found the ropes as he leg-glanced Thompson before Dom Bess entered the attack at the River End, with Coad switching to the Cathedral Road End. He was deftly steered through backward point for four by Byrom before Ingram square-cut Bess for four. But with the total on 30, Bess found the edge of Ingram’s bat as he forward with Adam Lyth pouching the ball at first slip.

Sam Northeast joined Byrom shortly before tea and drove Coad through the covers for four

Morning update

Whilst Durham have been confirmed as having been promoted to Division One for 2024, Glamorgan’s hopes of playing in the higher tier have taking a severe dent over the past ten days with the Welsh county starting today’s play trailing Yorkshire by 350 runs and with just two bonus points for their efforts so far.

There was though one major milestone looming today with Kiran Carlson unbeaten on 53 and needing a further 35 runs to reach the personal landmark of 1,000 first-class runs for the first time in his career and to become the first Cardiff-born player since Hugh Morris in 1997 to score 1,000 runs in a season and the first Welsh-born batter since Will Bragg in 2016 to reach this milestone.

As on the first two days, there was a short delay to the start of play with the match resuming at 1100 with 96 overs remaining. Carlson and Douthwaite resumed against Dom Bess and Matt Revis. Douthwaite cover-drove Bess for four before swatting Revis for four to fine-leg. Carlson also drilled Bess to long-off for four but in the 60th over he sparred at a rising ball from Revis and spooned a catch to short-leg.

173-7 saw Andy Gorvin arrive in the middle just as drizzle started to fall. It soon intensified and sent the players from the field. It was only a short interruption leading to the loss of 3 overs with Revis and Bess resuming the bowling for twenty minutes until another shower descended over the ground. Douthwaite then greeted the return of George Hill by off-driving him for four as the eighth wicket pair continued to defend stoutly.

Close of Play Report

Sam Northeast was unbeaten on 141 when play resumed after tea with Glamorgan on 354-4 and a lead of 127 runs with 36 overs remaining in the match and the game heading towards a draw. Bess and Lyth continued the bowling with Northeast continuing his watchful accumulation with some well-placed singles before Root reverse-swept Bess for four.

Northeast reached his 150 from 280 balls by square-cutting Bess for four, followed by a rasping straight-drive which nearly decapitated the umpire, and a huge slog-sweep to mid-wicket. Root also drilled Lyth through extra-cover before being bowled by James Wharton - his maiden first-class wicket - as the occasional bowlers were employed before the players shook hands at 4.20pm as the game ended in a draw,

Teatime update

Glamorgan had a lead of three runs when play began after lunch with the Welsh county on 230-3 and Sam Northeast a dozen runs away from his second century of the season and Kiran Calson thirteen away from reaching 1,000 first-class runs in a season for the first time in his career. Dom Bess and Adam Lyth continued the bowling with the new ball just six overs away.

The two batters accumulated in a series of singles with Northeast also surviving a caught and bowled chance as the ball nearly ricocheted off James Wharton at point back to bowler Bess. Northeast celebrated by pulling the next ball for four before completing his century from 198 balls by square-cutting Lyth. Next over, Coad took the new ball with Glamorgan 27 runs to the good with Ben Coad and Jordan Thompson returning to the attack. Northeast clipped Coad to fine-leg before Carlson cover-drove Thompson prior to punching him square of the wicket for two to reach 1,000 runs for the summer.

Carlson celebrated by drilling Coad through extra-cover before Northeast nonchalantly clipped Thompson to square-leg for another boundary. Carlson then guided Coad to the vacant ropes at third, before clipping Thompson to square-leg. He then greeted the return of Ben Cliff by pulling him for four but, next ball, he edged down the leg-side into Tattersall’s gloves as Cliff claimed his maiden Championship wicket.

305-4 saw the arrival of Billy Root who began by drilling a no-ball from Revis through extra-cover before repeating the stroke to the next legitimate delivery. He then threaded a ball from Cliff through a ring of four fielders on the drive on the off side before the spin of Bess and Lyth returned shortly before tea.

Morning Update

It was sixty years ago that Yorkshire most recently invited Glamorgan to follow-on in a Championship match at Cardiff with the game in 1963 being staged at the Arms Park and seeing the visiting spinners prosper as Yorkshire secured a comprehensive victory. The architects of their victory by an innings and 66 runs were Don Wilson, who in the first innings took 5/33, and John Hampshire who claimed 7/52 with his wrist spin. Sixty years on, the White Roses were hoping that the off-breaks of Dom Bess might see them to victory on a pitch at Sophia Gardens which will be seeing its fifth day of use as Glamorgan start 107 runs in arrears and with eight wickets remaining. Glamorgan though were hoping that the pitch, like others this year at the ground would become benign.

Yesterday, it was the seam of Matt Revis, that took centre-stage as the youngster, bowling at the Cathedral Road End, found both sharp lift and lateral movement to claim a maiden five-for with his career-best haul including the wicket of Kiran Carlson who fell 22 runs short of his goal of 1,000 runs for the season, before some jaunty tail-end resistance from Andy Gorvin and Jamie McIlroy lifted local morale with each batter posting their career-best scores as well as their maiden sixes.

Facing a first innings deficit of 227, Eddie Byrom and Sam Northeast played with plenty of nous during the final session as Bess started to extract some turn at the River End and the spinner was swiftly back into action this morning with Jodan Thompson at the Cathedral Road End. Byrom slapped Thompson’s first delivery for four through point before Northeast cover drove Bess to complete his fifty from 106 balls with his sixth boundary.

After some watchful reconnaissance, Byrom swept Bess to mid-wicket and to fine-leg for a pair of deft fours before Revis replaced Thompson at the other end. Jonathan Tattersall then took off his pads and replaced Bess at the River End with Finlay Bean taking over the gloves. Byrom biffed a full toss from Tattersall through the covers before pulling a long-hop to mid-wicket. Northeast also swatted a short ball from Revis to the ropes at mid-wicket.

Byrom pulled Tattersall for four before Bess switched to the Cathedral Road End with Tattersall returning to his customary position behind the stumps with George Hill bowling in his place. Byrom cut Bess for four before reaching his hundred from 193 balls by sweeping him to fine-leg. But one run later he was bowled reverse-sweeping at Bess having added 178 with Northeast.

Carlson made his way to the middle with his side still 19 runs in arrears and the home captain duly helped Northeast, who cover-drove Bess for four, to wipe off the arrears and see Glamorgan to the lunch interval with Yorkshire employing the spin of Adam Lyth and the seam of George Hill in a bid to make further inroads before the new ball becomes available this afternoon.