Three centurions put Glamorgan in control against Northants
Root, Carlson score unbeaten tons after Labuschagne's 121
ECB Reporters Network
11-Apr-2019
Billy Root drives through the off side • Getty Images
Glamorgan 433 for 4 (Root 126*, Labuschagne 121, Carlson 101*) v Northamptonshire
Marnus Labuschagne and Billy Root, two newcomers to Glamorgan's ranks this season, together with Kiran Carlson, held centre stage against Northants in the Welsh county's opening championship game of the season at Sophia Gardens.
The home team were 433 for 4 at the close with Labuschagne scoring 121, while Root and Carlson were undefeated on 126 and 101 respectively.
Labuschagne, who appeared in five Tests for Australia against Pakistan last winter, played a chanceless innings, scoring his runs from 177 balls with 19 fours, and became the fifth Australian player to score a hundred on debut for the club. He followed Shaun Marsh and Usman Khawaja, who achieved the feat last season, with Matthew Elliott and Mark Cosgrove previous centurions in their first games.
When Root reached three figures, it was the first time in Glamorgan's history for two players on debut to score a century in the same game, with Root becoming the 13th batsman to do so.
Root and brother Joe have also started the season in encouraging form, and while the England captain was scoring 94 at the Ageas Bowl, his younger brother completed a splendid century from 150 balls. He requires a further six runs to equal his previous championship best 132, scored against Sussex two years ago.
Both teams were eager to bat first on an easy paced pitch, and after Glamorgan had called correctly, Charlie Hemphrey and Nick Selman put on 27 before Selman nicked Nathan Buck to first slip. Hemphrey soon followed, edging Blessing Muzarabari to the wicketkeeper.
David Lloyd (31) was the next to go, when he chipped Buzarabani to square leg, before Root joined Labuschagne to add 154 in the afternoon session. During that time, Labuschagne scored 90 as the pair raced along at nearly five runs an over.
The Australian eventually departed, caught at long leg from a short delivery, but Carlson started with a flurry of boundaries, and outscored Root as he galloped to 50 from only 55 balls.
Northants used seven bowlers, but none could make an impression on the fifth-wicket pair, especially Carlson who dominated the final session.
Glamorgan scored at such a rapid pace they gained the fifth and maximum batting point in only the 92nd over, with Carlson reaching his hundred from only 101 balls.
