Roundup: Hadley’s ‘miracle’ effort gets Glamorgan a first home win
Glamorgan’s overseas fast bowler Ryan Hadley was the unlikely batting hero at Sophia Gardens, doubling his first-class average to squeak the home side over the line against Somerset. Hadley, who was sent in on Sunday evening as nightwatchman, laboured for 231 balls to 50 not out, winning the game and bringing up his maiden half‑century with a straight drive. He was given a huge hug from partner Mason Crane, handshakes from Tom Abell and most of the Somerset team, before taking giant strides back to the applause of the dressing room. “I was telling the boys I hadn’t been dismissed since coming here, as a joke, so was saying earlier it’s inevitable they’re going to get me for the first time, but I’m still here – it’s a miracle,” he said.
It was Glamorgan’s first win on home soil in Division One, and if it was methodically slow, no one was complaining. Hadley was helped by a classy 76 from Sean Dickson. Somerset’s stoical seamers ran in until the end, infuriated by countless plays and misses, and a comical moment of misunderstanding when the umpire adjusted his hat at the same time as a fruitless lbw appeal. There was only one over for Jack Leach. Somerset’s second defeat on the bounce meant a quiet trip back to Taunton.
Kent also pulled off a tight victory, chasing down 261 against Gloucestershire thanks largely to Tawanda Muyeye’s century, full of eye-catching shots, sometimes under floodlights. Zak Crawley fell cheaply, plucking for a huge booming drive but losing his middle stump. Gabe Bell (four for 87) chipped away but James Taylor, on loan from Surrey, hit the winning runs to go with match figures of 10 for 106. After turning their social media comments off, Kent have won two games in succession.
Nottinghamshire’s Ben Duckett purred into top form with a double century against Surrey in the high-scoring draw at Trent Bridge. After turning down the IPL to work on his red-ball form, Duckett has scored 25, 1, 62, 93, 77, 42 and 203 not out.
Northamptonshire nearly hauled themselves to safety at Derbyshire, batting deep into the evening, until Martin Andersson finally removed the sticky No 11 George Scrimshaw. George Bartlett was undefeated on 65. There were four wickets for Zak Chappell and three for Shoaib Bashir.
Sussex defied the rain for a second win of the season against Leicestershire, while Ethan Bamber (four for 50) and Olly Hannon-Dalby (three for 33) completed the demolition of Yorkshire at Edgbaston, skittling them for 171 after Warwickshire amassed 553 for six declared.
That’s your lot for this week, we’ll be back on Friday for the last game of this red ball early-season block. Many thanks to everyone BTL for the company, good night!
