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Glamorgan batsmen finally stir as investigation begins

Kiran Carlson gets forward Getty Images

Glamorgan 331 for 8 (Carlson 83, Meschede 55) v Leicestershire
Scorecard

Glamorgan, still searching for their second victory in Division Two of the Specsavers County Championship, responded to the announcement of an external review into their dismal season by reaching 331 for 8 at the close of the first day against Leicestershire at Sophia Gardens.

In stark contrast to this season, the Welsh county built a series of solid partnerships to set the foundations of the innings, with five in excess of 50, a rarity for them in Championship cricket this season.

Leicestershire initially took control on the first morning, as Glamorgan ended on 109 for 3 at lunch.

Their Championship debutant fast bowler Tom Taylor had picked up his first two scalps in the morning, dismissing Nick Selman and Jack Murphy cheaply, as an all too familiar tale of batting woes for Glamorgan had looked set to continue. Taylor struck in successive overs, striking Nick Selman in front, before Jack Murphy holed out to Ben Mike at backward point.

On the stroke of lunch, experienced South African Stephen Cook, who was brought in for late-season stability but who had only previously managed a highest score of 20 for the Welsh side, was leg before to Callum Parkinson for 36, as Glamorgan found themselves 96 for 3. Carlson remained at the crease on 48, with seven fours to his name from 67 balls.

They secured their first batting point at Sophia Gardens since June during the afternoon session. Kiran Carlson brought up his 70-ball half-century with his eighth boundary in the first over of the afternoon from Dieter Klein, and he raced to 61 with two further fours.

The boundaries flowed in the 32nd over, as Carlson drove Taylor either side of the wicket in consecutive deliveries before finding the ropes again two balls later and again in the following over, driving Ben Mike through backward point for the fifteenth boundary of his innings.

Carlson's resistance ended, however, when he was bowled by Mike for 83. Lawlor, off the mark from his nineteenth delivery, soon followed, leg before to Dieter Klein for two, as Glamorgan lost two wickets for no runs.

When Craig Meschede and Chris Cooke came together at 148 for 5, another rescue mission was required and they duly obliged with a fifty partnership in 10.1 overs securing Glamorgan's first batting point since the game against Warwickshire at Colwyn Bay in late August.

A sixth wicket fell on 207, however, when Chris Cooke was caught behind off Gavin Griffiths for 27, ending a stand of 59 with Meschede, who was unbeaten on 39 as Glamorgan reached 228 for 6 at tea.

Having waited a month since their last batting point, Glamorgan obtained a second as Graham Wagg and Craig Meschede, for the seventh wicket, guided their side beyond 250.

Meschede, soon after he had reached his half-century from 107 balls, saw Graham Wagg dismissed lbw to Callum Parkinson for 28, ending a 61 partnership, before he was caught at backward point for 55, attempting a cut shot off Colin Ackermann to leave Glamorgan on 268 for 8.

Timm van der Gugten, who scored an unbeaten 60 against Gloucestershire here two weeks ago, and Kieran Bull added an unbroken 63 for the ninth wicket.

Leics 4th innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st3A JavidST Evans
2nd1CN AckermannST Evans
3rd19MJ CosgroveST Evans
4th0MJ CosgroveHE Dearden
5th19LJ HillHE Dearden
6th33TAI TaylorHE Dearden
7th17TAI TaylorBWM Mike
8th10CF ParkinsonBWM Mike
9th72D KleinCF Parkinson
10th96D KleinGT Griffiths