Walters gives Glamorgan solid platform

A Stewart Walters century helped Glamorgan to 242 for 3 and put them in control against Essex at Colchester. He struck an unbeaten 129 and rarely played a false stroke against an Essex attack that sorely missed its spearhead David Masters, absent with a side strain.

Admittedly, the pitch was of a friendly nature but that is hardly an excuse for bowling that left much to be desired in terms of length and direction.

After the visitors had won the toss, Maurice Chambers did gain an early breakthrough when he had Nick James snapped up at forward short leg by Jaik Mickleburgh, but Essex had to wait until well after lunch for their next success. Walters and Will Bragg were responsible for that as they kept pace with each other with a series of well-timed strokes either side of the wicket.

Bragg reached his half-century with a flowing drive through extra cover against Chambers, while Walters reached his fifty from 72 balls by straight driving Charl Willoughby to the fence in the next over. Both batsmen included nine boundaries as they reached the landmark, Bragg needing 94 balls to register his fifty.

The pair had put together a stand of 107 in 28 overs to carry the total to 133 when Graham Napier ended the partnership when, half-forward, Bragg played a ball into his stumps after making 54.

Walters, however, continued on his impressive way, wasting no opportunity to cut and drive as he moved into three figures with his 15th boundary, a leg side shot at the expense of Ryan ten Doeschate. The century spanned 140 deliveries.

By then Marcus North had settled in well, although he was content to watch Walters do the bulk of the scoring. His contribution to a 103 stand in 25 overs was just 24 when he sliced Napier to Harbhajan Singh in the gully just two deliveries after he had been dropped low down by the same fielder.

Soon afterwards, rain arrived to save the Essex bowlers from further punishment leaving Walters to resume, in the morning, an innings that has so far lasted 179 balls and brought him 20 boundaries. It also underlined his liking for the Essex attack because he went into the match with a season's best 69 - made when the teams met at Cardiff early in May.