Report

Marnus Labuschagne gives selectors another nudge as Glamorgan see out draw

Another half-century for Division Two's leading run-scorer in high-scoring draw at Swansea

Marnus Labuschagne of Glamorgan bats  •  Getty Images

Marnus Labuschagne of Glamorgan bats  •  Getty Images

Derbyshire 598 for 5 dec (Godleman 227, Lace 143, Hosein 91*) drew with Glamorgan 394 (Wagg 100, Carey 62*) and 184 for 2 (Labuschagne 83, Selman 73*)
On a St. Helen's pitch which produced 1176 runs for the loss of 17 wickets, there was little prospect of a positive outcome in the Specsavers County Championship game between Glamorgan and Derbyshire at Swansea. With Glamorgan 184 for 2 in their second innings, and Nick Selman 73 not out, the captains shook hands.
After Derbyshire had declared their first innings on 598 for 5, their fifth-highest total in first-class cricket, Glamorgan were left 58 overs to clear their first innings deficit of 204. Despite losing opener Charlie Hemphrey to the last ball of the sixth over - the batsman left an inswinger from Ravi Rampaul - Selman and Marnus Labuschagne shared a rapid partnership of 142 in 29 overs for the second wicket to ensure Glamorgan would remain unbeaten and in contention near the top of Division Two.
There was nothing in the St. Helen's pitch for the bowlers, with both Selman and Labuschagne reaching their half-centuries in quick time. Selman took 56 balls to reach his fifty, with Labuschagne reaching the landmark from five balls fewer.
Labuschagne, who played five Tests for Australia last year, is the leading run-scorer in Division Two with 653 runs including three centuries, and if he continues his current form he could be in contention for a place in the Ashes squad this summer. He made 83 from 90 balls, before he was stumped down the leg-side from Alex Hughes' gentle medium pace.
Earlier Derbyshire had batted for 16 overs when play resumed at 12.55 after 20 overs had been lost to rain The visitors added a further 94 runs, with their captain Billy Godleman adding 16 runs to his overnight score before he was leg before to Lukas Carey for a career best 227. He was at the crease for eight and a quarter hours, faced 327 balls and struck 25 boundaries.
He put on 135 with Harvey Hosein who scored an unbeaten 91 and was unlucky not to reach his second first-class century when Godleman called a halt. Derbyshire were 104 runs in front before play restarted and were never going to lose the game. Perhaps they might have been better advised to have declared earlier and attempt to put more pressure on the opposition.