Glamorgan beat Northants by ten wickets

There was a certain symmetry about the state of play this morning in that Northamptonshire's batsmen had occupied the crease for a combined total of 96 overs in their two innings so far, and that the same number of overs were still remaining in the contest as the players took to the field under glorious sunshine. However, in their 96 over quota so far, Northamptonshire had lost fourteen wickets, and the Welsh county began the day to needing a further six scalps to further advance their victory claims

Had it not been for a combative 89* from Robbie Newton in the closing session yesterday, plus fifties in the first innings from Josh Cobb and Adam Rossington, this game might have already have been over, despite the loss of 116 overs across the first three days. There were two important run outs as well yesterday - the first when Ruiadhri Smith, in his follow through deflected a firm drive from Cobb back onto the stumps to leave Rossington out of his ground, and the second when a superb pick up and throw at the bowler's end by Michael Hogan left Rob Keogh well short of his ground as he tried to sneak a single.


Little moments such as these can be vital in terms of tipping the overall balance one way or the other, and as a result Northants began the final day still 51 runs in arrears and needing to bat for a lengthy time to save the game. Graham Wagg and Hogan duly resumed the bowling duties with the latter being straight driven by Newton, whilst Wagg beat the outside edge of the bat at the other end.


Rossington also guided Hogan through the slips for four before a booming off-drive by Newton saw the batsman reach his first hundred of the Championship season from 178 balls. Rossington then nearly edged Wagg to Chris Cooke who was stationed in the gully, before Newton just about dug out a full length delivery from Hogan. The batsman then celebrated his good fortune by flicking Hogan to fine-leg for four.


Craig Meschede then replaced Hogan at the River End and with his second delivery he ended Newton's vigil as he bowled him for 107 with the visitors still trailing by 15 runs. Ben Duckett began by scything Wagg over the slips, followed by a trio of coruscating cover drives for four as the arrears were wiped out. But his stay at the crease proved to be a brief one as Andrew Salter also struck in his first over of the day as the left-hander spooned a catch to mid-off.


220/6 then became 228/7 as Salter found the edge of David Willey's bat with Jacques Rudolph snaffling the ball at first slip. Ruaidhri Smith then entered the attack at the Cathedral Road End and he too claimed a wicket in his first over as after a couple of lusty swiped by Rory Kleinveldt he miscued a pull and Mark Wallace safely pouched a steepling catch. Salter then switched to the River End and struck immediately as Rossington edged to Wallace. Mohammad Azharullah and Maurice Chambers each then used the long handle to strike a brace of fours as lunch was delayed with nine wickets having fallen. With the total on 260/9 Ingram replaced Smith for an over of wrist spin and nearly bowled Azharullah around his legs before Glamorgan took the new ball with Hogan returning in tandem with Salter, and the Australian ended the visitors resistance as Chambers edged to third slip where Bragg completed the catch.

Glamorgan's target was 56 in the 60 remaining overs, and with the visitors having an over rate of minus two, it was Rory Keleinveldt and spinner Rob Keogh who opened the bowling as Jacques Rudolph and Will Bragg began with a series of singles before each struck boundaries off Kleinveldt to long-on and backward point respectively.


Mohammad Azharullah then replaced Kleinveldt and delivered a couple of overs off just a few overs as the over rate moved closer to level, as the fielders - including replacement wicket-keeper Ben Duckett - scampered quickly into their positions. With the over rate now level and the risk of any points being deducted having been avoided, Josh Cobb joined Keogh as the home batsmen serenely moved towards their target.


Rudolph then cut Keogh for four before nearly holing out at long-on to the substitute fielder Graeme White, but next ball he cover drove Cobb for four to end the game as Glamorgan won by ten wickets - their largest-ever margin of victory by wickets over the East Midlands side, surpassing their nine-wicket win at Cardiff Arms Park in 1960 .



This was also the first time since May 2011 that Glamorgan had recorded back-to-back Championship victories, having defeated Kent at the SWALEC Stadium by an innings and 8 runs, before winning by nine wickets against Middlesex at Lord's. It was also Glamorgan's first victory over Northants at Cardiff since May 2010 when they inflicted an innings defeat over the East Midlands side thanks to a century from Jamie Dalrymple.

The victory also lifts the Welsh county into third place in the Division Two table.