Samaraweera holds up Glam

Glamorgan go into the final day in Cardiff as favourites to win but half-centuries from Thilan Samaraweera and Moeen Ali ensured Worcestershire would not lose by an innings and by the close they had reached a lead of 14.

Glamorgan's most effective bowler was Will Bragg. His part-time medium pace accounted for Moeen and Alexei Kervezee in the space of four balls either side of tea as he recorded figures of 2 for 7.

Glamorgan resumed the third day on 235 for 7, a first-innings lead of 112 with Jim Allenby (71) and Dean Cosker (8). The duo moved the score onto 244 before a light shower forced the players off the field. When they returned Allenby's 212 minute vigil ended when he edged Gareth Andrew to Daryl Mitchell at second slip. Allenby made 78 from 162 balls.

Michael Hogan was dismissed three balls later when a ball from Chris Russell trickled onto his stumps. The last wicket of Cosker and Mike Reed produced some entertainment as they put on 36 before Russell brought the innings to a close when he yorked Reed for 15 with Cosker unbeaten on 44 from 88 balls with five fours. Gareth Andrew was Worcestershire's best bowler ending with figures of 4 for 79.

Glamorgan struck in the first over of the Worcestershire second innings when Graham Wagg bowled Matt Pardoe for 0 shouldering arms before the visitors reached 5 for 1 at lunch, still 167 runs adrift of making Glamorgan bat again.

Worcestershire had reached 50 for 1 before Jim Allenby made the breakthrough to remove skipper Daryl Mitchell with Bragg making a fine diving catch at midwicket. Moeen went on to make 55 with nine fours in a stay in the middle of two hours 39 minutes before perishing in the final over before tea. Moeen's defiance ended when he chopped a ball from Bragg on to his stumps.

From 97 for 3 at tea, Worcestershire lost another wicket three balls after the break when Kervezee went for a duck - the second victim of Bragg's medium pace after he was caught at slip by Allenby. But Samaraweera and Michael Johnson ensured a lead as well as no more scares for Worcestershire, putting on 48 for the sixth wicket by the close.