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Ajaz Patel five-wicket haul helps Glamorgan close in on victory over Derbyshire

Ajaz Patel claimed a five-wicket haul for Glamorgan Getty Images

Derbyshire 253 (Dal 92, Came 64, Reece 56, Patel 5-68) and 123 for 3 (Godleman 40, du Plooy 36*, Madsen 30*) trail Glamorgan 550 for 5 dec (Lloyd 313*, Root 79) by 174 runs

New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel claimed his first five-wicket haul for new county Glamorgan to help them close in on victory at home to Derbyshire.

The Welsh County need another seven wickets on the final day to maintain the pressure on Middlesex in the race for the second promotion spot in Division Two.

It took two sessions for them to take the remaining five wickets of the Derbyshire first innings, Anuj Dal top scoring with 92, Patel taking two catches to add to his five wickets.

Not quite up to the Test record-equalling 10 wickets he managed with ball in hand for New Zealand in India, but still a massive contribution for his new county as they enforced the follow on. Derbyshire finished the day on 123 for 3.

Glamorgan captain David Lloyd had talked about needing patience on this penultimate day and that was certainly the case through a wicketless morning session.

Harry Came and Dal kept the scoreboard moving in reasonable comfort, without ever being able to relax on a wicket which was still offering something to the bowlers - albeit without pace.

Glamorgan had to wait until after 1.20 before taking their first wicket, a smart catch by Patel low to his left off the bowling of Timm van der Gugten to ensure Came went for a well-made 64 in a partnership of 145.

Alex Thomson fell cheaply to the bowling of Patel before van der Gugten claimed the crucial wicket of Dal, eight short of what would have been a well-deserved century.

The all rounder was probably the pick of the Derbyshire bowling as well as their top scorer, taking his total runs scored from No. seven in the batting line-up to more than 900 this season.

Derbyshire continued to show stubborn resistance as Patel took the rest of the wickets to claim 5 for 68, well supported by van der Gugten who took 3 for 37.

Glamorgan had no hesitation in enforcing the follow on, Derbyshire trailing by 297, but more importantly leaving four sessions to take the 10 wickets needed for victory.

Australian Michael Hogan led Glamorgan onto the field after tea for his last innings at the home of Glamorgan cricket after a decade with the club.

First-innings half-centurion Luis Reece fell caught behind off James Harris, but captain Billy Godleman led the way following his first-innings duck.

Brooke Guest was undone by a beauty from van der Gugten which jagged back between bat and pad to hit the top of off.

Godleman had a bit of luck when he was dropped by Lloyd at slip for 38, but it did not cost Glamorgan's skipper too dear as his opposite number fell for 40, lbw to van der Gugten, when close to his season's top score of 43. Wayne Madsen and Leus du Plooy saw out the rest of the day.

Derbyshire 3rd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st26BA GodlemanLM Reece
2nd29BA GodlemanBD Guest
3rd11WL MadsenBA Godleman
4th128WL MadsenJL du Plooy
5th3WL MadsenHRC Came
6th36WL MadsenAK Dal
7th1WL MadsenAT Thomson
8th0WL MadsenBW Aitchison
9th39S ConnersBW Aitchison
10th0BW AitchisonAR Sylvester