Wickets tumble at Cardiff

Gloucestershire 76 for 5 v Glamorgan 202
Scorecard

Visiting seamer Ian Saxelby claimed career-best figures of 5 for 53 as 15 wickets fell on the opening day at Cardiff.

The 21-year-old helped to reduce Glamorgan to 202 all out in 47.5 overs and Gloucestershire themselves struggled to 76 for 5 before bad light stopped play for the day.

Despite winning the toss, Glamorgan had been 26 for 4 and 54 for 6 but they were rescued by a seventh-wicket partnership of 138 from Ben Wright, who made 83 on the day he was awarded his county cap, and Graham Wagg (58).

They made a terrible start against the new ball as they lost Gareth Rees to only the second ball of the game, lbw to Jon Lewis. And six overs later, despite striking three boundaries, Will Bragg fell in similar fashion. Glamorgan further capitulated to 20 for 3 when skipper Alviro Petersen was also trapped in front, this time by Liam Norwell in his first over.

Mike Powell became the fourth lbw - the third for Lewis - playing down the wrong line. The flow of wickets was stemmed briefly by Jim Allenby, who struck a run-a-ball 22 before he edged Saxelby to Ian Cockbain at second slip.

Wright was dropped was dropped by Saxelby off Norwood's bowling, but Saxelby made amends in the next over when he had Mark Wallace caught by Cockbain at second slip. Either side of lunch, Wright and Wagg launched a more than profitable recovery in 22 overs.

The pair took Glamorgan to 192 for six before Saxelby dismissed both in the space of two overs. Wright went for 83 from 98 balls with 14 fours after being bowled attempting a pull, while Wagg was bowled via an inside edge.

Saxelby completed his first five-wicket haul by having Dean Cosker caught behind as the last three Glamorgan wickets added just 10 runs. In reply, Gloucestershire were reduced to 49 for four despite Glamorgan losing Wagg to a hamstring injury after only one over.

His replacement Adam Shantry had Richard Coughtrie caught behind by Mark Wallace before Harris claimed his first wicket of the season when he bowled Cockbain for 21.

From 29 for 2, the visitors were further reduced to 37 for 3 as Chris Taylor was trapped lbw failing to offer a shot to Harris. After tea Shantry took his second wicket, Jon Batty pinned leg before, and then Allenby dismissed Alex Gidman.