Croft praises Glamorgan after Essex win

8 May 2017 | Cricket
Head coach Robert Croft hailed his team\'s \"incredible character\" after securing victory by the narrowest of margins versus Essex in the One-Day Cup.

The visitors who arrived with three wins from three, fell 1 run short in their chase as Glamorgan fast bowler Michael Hogan conceded only five runs in the final over.

"The character our team showed was incredible," said Croft.

"It wasn't just the effort, there was high skill involved."

"There were a couple of moments of brilliance, Hogan and (Marchant) de Lange coming at the end there with pace and great craft" enthused Croft.

"But (wicket-keeper) Chris Cooke on the run-out (of Simon Harmer in the last over) after a melee in the middle, he had to dive forward, scoop it up and take the stumps out, that was brilliant.

"Then the hand that he got on that last delivery that was scuttling down to fine-leg (with four needed to win) was incredible, it won us the game."

Croft also had plenty to enjoy on the batting front after a poor start, as Ingram hit the roof of the pavilion twice with some of the biggest blows seen at the ground.

"I thought the partnership between Ingram and (Will) Bragg was brilliant because we were under a lot of pressure, Kiran Carlson gave the right support and Ingram at the end, 

"I think it was people like (West Indies great) Clive Lloyd the last time you saw sixes hit like that in Wales," Croft added.

Glamorgan now have two wins from five games, but will need to win their remaining three against Middlesex at Radlett on Wednesday 10 May, Hampshire in Southampton Friday and Kent in Swansea on Sunday to stand a strong chance of qualifying for the knockout rounds.

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