As Glamorgan reflect on a comprehensive 52-run victory over reigning Royal London One Day Cup champions Gloucestershire – and look ahead to Wednesday’s clash versus Sussex Sharks – let’s take a look at four lessons learned from the win.
Ingram’s Underrated Leggies
Colin Ingram proved the most effective spin bowler on display at The SSE SWALEC, on a day when Gloucestershire’s Tom Smith and Chris Dent conceded 94 runs off 10 overs between them. Ingram mastered flight and found a degree of turn on an excellent Cardiff pitch, taking two wickets, including the vital scalp of Michael Klinger, caught and bowled for 52.
Bragg Unleashed
Will Bragg has not played a part in Glamorgan’s opening three matches in the NatWest T20 Blast, but he smashed a career-best 161 versus Essex in the County Championship a fortnight ago. And the Welshman continued in that same vein of form, hitting the ball to all parts during his knock of 75 from 68 balls. Could Bragg be pushing for a recall to the T20 lineup?
Rudolph Back In Form
All Glamorgan fans know what a quality batsman Jacques Rudolph is – and the South African offered a glimpse of his best form, with a measured 53 that anchored Glamorgan’s innings of 289. Rudolph’s century partnership with Bragg laid the foundations for the likes of Colin Ingram and Graham Wagg to wreak havoc towards the end. It was great to see the captain register a welcome fifty.
Benny Very Good
Gloucestershire’s stand-out performer was allrounder Benny Howell, whose 10-0-37-2 was a product of patient, clever medium-pace bowling. The Bordeaux-born player then followed that up with a fighting knock of 77 which gave Gloucestershire a glimmer of hope towards the end. Ultimately, it was a lone hand, but Glamorgan will be keeping their eyes on Howell when the sides meet again in the T20 Blast on Friday night in Bristol.
Glamorgan host Sussex Sharks in the Royal London One-Day Cup on Wednesday, starting at 2pm (gates open at 1pm).