Essex face tough final-day chase
Essex were left with a daunting victory target of 360 to beat Glamorgan at Chelmsford and record their first Championship success of the season
29-Apr-2011
Essex 258 and 31 for 1 v Glamorgan 282 and 335 by six wickets
Scorecard
Scorecard
Essex were left with a daunting victory target of 360 to beat Glamorgan at Chelmsford and record their first Championship success of the season.
Much is likely to depend on Alastair Cook who reached the close on 23 in a response of 34 for one after Billy Godleman had been dismissed without a run on the board.
Glamorgan had earlier totalled 335 in their second innings, thanks largely to consistent rather than spectacular batting, with nine players registering double figures. Mark Wallace was the main contributor, hitting a fluent 82 from 96 deliveries before he was last out driving David Masters to long on with the bowler finishing with 5 for 73.
Wallace's effort included two sixes and six fours, after opener Gareth Rees had struck a resolute 54 from 125 balls. Rees was trapped leg before by slow left-arm spinner Tim Phillips, who also removed William Bragg for 48 and Michael Powell for 33 on his way to figures of 4 for 97.
The fast bowler beat the bat on a few occasions without reward and also saw Lonwabo Tsotsobe put down a simple catch at mid-on offered by Powell. Tsotsobe's disappointing day was compounded by him sending down 16 overs without reward while conceding 57 runs, and many of those deliveries the batsman allowed to go harmlessly by.
When they embarked upon their stiff task, James Harris removed Godleman with the fifth delivery of the innings, pinning the left-hander in front of his stumps to gain and lbw decision.
But Cook refused to let that early setback disturb him, and three times found the boundary with confident strokes at the expense of Adam Shantry. But on a couple of occasions he was beaten by the impressive Harris. However, he and Jaik Mickleburgh survived until the close.
Glamorgan, however, go into the final day as favourites, even though they will be without the services of Huw Waters, one of their strike bowlers. He is suffering from back trouble and will not bowl again in the match.
