Alleyne defies pain to play captain's innings

Skipper Mark Alleyne was Gloucestershire's wounded hero as they maintained a 100 per cent Benson & Hedges Cup group record with a five-wicket win over Glamorgan at Bristol.

Alleyne hit a match-winning 79 not out, despite a painful hand injury sustained while fielding, to guide his side past the visitors' total of 236-6 with nine balls to spare.

He had earlier taken 2-36 from ten overs after winning the toss and the all-round contribution was enough to pip the unlucky Jimmy Maher to the Gold Award.

Glamorgan's new Australian opener hit a magnificent 142 not out to set the home side a challenging target. There were 12 sumptuous fours and a straight six off Mike Cawdron in his highest ever limited overs score, made off 151 balls.

The outcome might have been different had Steve James not been forced to retire hurt on 30 after edging a ball from Jon Lewis into his left knee. Glamorgan were 85-1 in the 20th over and going well.

They soon plunged to 127-5 before Robert Croft and Darren Thomas provided some belated support to Maher.

Gloucestershire looked in trouble at 66-4 in reply, despite a dashing 24 off 16 balls from new father Ian Harvey, celebrating the birth of daughter Charlotte the previous afternoon.

But Matt Windows (40) helped Alleyne add 77 for the fifth wicket before Jeremy Snape became an even more effective partner.

Alleyne and Snape cleverly found gaps in the field and compiled their unbroken stand of 97 with few risks, although Alleyne was crucially dropped on 28 by substitute fielder Dean Cosker at cover off Adam Davies.

Snape's unbeaten 46 came off just 44 balls, with six fours, while Alleyne's innings occupied 89 deliveries and featured eight boundaries.