Libby revels in return to old stamping ground

Nottinghamshire 335 for 6 (Wessels 120, Libby 109, van der Gugten 4-52) v Glamorgan
Scorecard

Jake Libby returned to his old stamping ground in Cardiff with a century to help Nottinghamshire into a strong position on the opening day of their Specsavers County Championship game against Glamorgan.

The former Cardiff MCCU batsman made his first-class debut at the SSE Swalec, against Glamorgan, back in the summer of 2014, during a three-year stint at the Metropolitan University.

Later that season, Libby not only secured a two-year contract with Notts, but capped his first-class debut with a Championship century against Sussex.

Yesterday, back in the Welsh capital, the 24-year-old Devonian helped himself to a 291 minute century off 229 balls as Notts made Glamorgan pay for not building on an impressive start.

Having seen his side reduced to 108 for 4, shortly after lunch on day one, it was Libby and Rikki Wessels who rescued the day by adding 123 for the fifth wicket. Notts finished the day on 335 for 6 with Wessels out in the penultimate over of the day for a sparkling 120.

Having chosen to bat first, Nottinghamshire made slow progress against a Glamorgan side yet to win a Championship game in 2017. The host county bowled particularly well throughout the session and reduced the league leaders to 64 for 2 at lunch with Steven Mullaney and debutant Cheteshwar Pujara the men out.

Mullaney was well caught by wicket keeper Chris Cooke, for 14, off the impressive Timm van der Gutgen (4-52), whilst Indian Test batsman Pujara offered a catch to Aneurin Donald off the bowling of Marchant de Lange.

From 64 for 2 at lunch, Notts found themselves 68 for 3 when Samit Patel was trapped leg before by the impressive van der Gutgen. Michael Lumb followed, at 108 for 4, as 19-year-old Welshman Lukas Carey bagged his first wicket of the game.

Glamorgan continued to bowl well throughout the afternoon session, albeit without reward. Libby, who passed 50 off 115 balls with four boundary fours, arrived at tea, unbeaten on 74 whilst Wessels, who was the more aggressive of the two, was 32 not out.

Both players continued to prosper after tea with Wessels passing 50 off 79 balls and Libby, who was rarely troubled, reaching three figures in the 73rd over with his ninth four. He faced 213 deliveries in passing 100, and 229 in all before Cooke took another smart catch at the wicket, once again off the bowling of van der Gutgen.

Wessels continued to make hay and added 99 for the sixth wicket with Chris Read, who finished the day unbeaten on 47. However, having reached his century off 119 balls, the Aussie departed in the 95th over when he was trapped lbw by van der Gutgen for 120.