Durham rest up for Blast after Glamorgan capsize again

Durham 295 (Axar 95*, Lees 69, Smith 5-87) beat Glamorgan 154 (Rushworth 3-36, Salisbury 3-34) and 111 (Rushworth 5-28) by an innings and 30 runs
Scorecard

Durham's bowlers needed only 8.2 overs to dismiss the remaining three Glamorgan batsmen at Sophia Gardens this morning to gain their third championship win of the season, and inflict on Glamorgan their third successive championship defeat and their sixth in the last seven games.

Resuming on 79 for 7, Glamorgan soon lost Craig Meschede, who was leg before to Chris Rushworth in the fourth over of the day, and the Durham seamer struck again in his next two overs when he bowled Lukas Carey and Michael Hogan to end Glamorgan's misery.

The victory margin, an innings and 30 runs, was a fair reflection of Durham's dominance throughout the game, while Glamorgan were to reflect on another hugely disappointing performance which will little to restore confidence or morale.

Rushworth ended with 5 for 28, and match figures of 8 for 64 as throughout the match Glamorgan's batsmen were unable to counter the movement Durham's seamers obtained in both innings.

It all left Glamorgan's coach Robert Croft with much to ponder as he seeks to keep momentum in the season after the county's failure to reach the last eight of the Vitality Blast.

Had the weather not intervened in this game, Glamorgan would have been beaten inside two days in successive games, and although they have been unlucky with their overseas signings and Marchant De Lange, one of their leading bowlers, has been out injured since mid-May, the fact is that their young batsmen have been unable to cope with opposing attacks.

Meanwhile, Durham, who will have an extra day off before Friday's T20 quarter final game against Sussex at Chester Le Street, will be delighted with their performance, especially their two debutants Alex Lees and Axar Patel.

Lees, signed from Yorkshire, was soon into his stride with an assured 69, while Indian all rounder Patel, took three wickets in the game and struck an aggressive 95 and rescue Durham following a mid -innings collapse.

A dejected Glamorgan captain Michael Hogan said after the crushing defeat,"it was not ideal, it was just another of those days. The dressing room is pretty low at the moment, and we have to give them the opportunity to have some fun, and get some smiles back on their faces. We will have nets on Thursday and get some practice before the game against Warwickshire next week."

Durham seamer Chris Rushworth, who took eight wickets in the game, said" it was good to field in bowling conditions on the first day, and it suited our bowlers. We were clinical, and that's what we need to be to beat the teams around us in the championship. Everyone contributed, and it was a very satisfying victory"