Glamorgan bowlers flatten Gloucestershire
Robert Croft produced the most economical figures by a Glamorgan bowler in t20 cricket as the Dragons thumped Gloucestershire by 10 wickets in a meaningless Friends Life South Group match at Bristol
10-Jul-2011
Glamorgan 86 for 0 beat Gloucestershire by 81 by 10 wickets
Scorecard
Scorecard
Robert Croft produced the most economical figures by a Glamorgan bowler in t20 cricket as the Dragons thumped Gloucestershire by 10 wickets in a meaningless Friends Life South Group match at Bristol.
The veteran spinner conceded only 10 runs from his four-over spell on a used wicket to help restrict the home side to a paltry 81 all out after they had won the toss. There were two wickets each for Simon Jones, Alex Jones, Will Owen and Nick James. Croft picked up the valuable wicket of Gladiators skipper Kane Williamson, brilliantly caught by Alviro Petersen one-handed, diving at mid-wicket, for his side's top score of 20.
In reply, Glamorgan cruised to their target with six overs to spare, openers Petersen and Mark Cosgrove unbeaten on 42 and 37 respectively. Simon Jones bowled with plenty of pace for the Dragons on the slow pitch and produced a fine delivery to have Hamish Marshall caught at slip with only two runs on the board.
Soon it was 16 for 3 as Jack Taylor was stumped taking a wild slog at Petersen and Chris Dent miscued a leg-side shot to be caught at point off Alex Jones. A woeful procession followed as a series of poor shots presented the Dragons with wickets. Only Chris Taylor (17), Ian Cockbain (15) and Ed Young (10) joined Williamson in double figures.
Simon Jones continued to hurry the batsmen in an impressive contribution. He finished with two for 18, while namesake Alex had two for 10 from three overs, Owen two for 13 from 2.3 and James two for 22 from 4. It was Gloucestershire's second-lowest total in t20 cricket and offered no challenge for the Glamorgan batsmen.
Petersen and Cosgrove were able to pace themselves, although both cleared the ropes in a comfortable partnership that made a mockery of Gloucestershire's struggles. Petersen finished the game with a slog-swept six off Young.off the final ball of the 14th over.
By then he had faced 45 balls and hit three fours and two sixes, while Cosgrove faced 40 deliveries, hitting four fours and a six. It was only Glamorgan's fourth group win, but they looked world beaters against a Gladiators team who did not turn up on the day.