Spectators were treated to a feast of runs at St. Helen’s as Glamorgan secured a dramatic 15 run victory against Kent in their final group game of this year’s Royal London One-Day Cup.
Thirty five sixes were struck in the match which equalled the record for a List A game, set in the game at Trent Bridge between Northants and Nottinghamshire last year, as the teams combined to make 697 runs.
Colin Ingram struck his third century of the competition from just 78 balls and was ably supported by Will Bragg who hit a career List A best 94 as the pair put on 212 for the third wicket after Glamorgan had lost two wickets in three balls.
Set 357 to win, Kent were in difficulty at 76/3 before Darren Stevens strode to the crease and bludgeoned 147 from only 67 deliveries which included 14 sixes. Kent looked on course for victory before a career best five wicket haul from David Lloyd and a couple of key run outs took Glamorgan over the line.
"It was very difficult bowling at him (Stevens),” said David Lloyd. “He's a player who can hit the ball anywhere round the park so in a way it was nice to watch but he took the game away at one stage and we kept on fighting, in the end it paid off.
"The only way we were going to win was taking wickets, and that's what we did- it's great personally (to take five wickets) and to get the win as a team is very pleasing."
Despite the victory, Glamorgan will not qualify for the knockout stages of the Royal London One-Day Cup, where they currently sit in fourth with only three going through, however Will Bragg believes the team showed a lot of fight to finish the competition strongly.
"We've gathered a bit of momentum and we've shown the supporters and ourselves we're a force to be reckoned with in this format, but we started a bit slowly in the competition and unfortunately we've come to the party a bit too late,” said Bragg.
Worcestershire, Yorkshire, Essex and Somerset have already secured four of the six spots in the play-offs for a place at the Lord’s final.
In the South Group, Surrey – beaten finalists in each of the last two years – will seal a play-off place by winning at Gloucestershire. But Hampshire and Sussex, who meet each other in a match that will be televised live on Sky, will be hoping they slip up.
In the North the Rapids still need to win at Derby to secure top spot, and a direct route to the semi finals. Notts Outlaws will seal a play-off place by winning at Northampton, but defeat would open up a chance for Durham, Lancashire or even Leicestershire, who go to Yorkshire.
Glamorgan’s next match is against Nottinghamshire at The SSE SWALEC this Friday (19 May) as the Welsh county return to County Championship action - tickets available HERE.