Glamorgan finish 344 runs ahead at Bristol

Michael Powell celebrated his 100th first-class match by scoring a forthright 90 as Glamorgan ended the third day of their promotion battle against Gloucestershire at Bristol on 276/9. This gives the Welsh county an overall lead of 344 and sets up the prospect of an enthralling final day, especially as Gloucestershire are eager to win this contest in order to maintain their own promotion hopes.

Glamorgan had earlier secured a first innings lead of 68 after dismissing Gloucestershire for 263. Resuming on 237/7, the home team added a further 26 runs in 6.1 overs as they lost their last three wickets after Glamorgan took the new ball. Alex Wharf had Alex Gidman caught behind with his second delivery, and then in his next over yorked Martyn Ball, before Michael Kasprowicz wrapped things off by having Jon Lewis caught on the third man boundary by David Harrison.

James Averis had been struck on the hand whilst batting, so Ian Harvey opened the bowling with Jon Lewis, and the Australian had an immediate impact as he trapped Ian Thomas leg before in the third over. Lewis caught and bowled Glamorgan`s other opener, Jimmy Maher, to leave Glamorgan on 42/2.

Dale and Powell then added 49 for the third wicket, with Dale playing second fiddle to Powell who played assertively, striking 5 firmly struck fours in his 28 runs before lunch. In the third over after lunch, Dale was trapped leg before by Averis who had returned after treatment

Powell was initially more restrained the interval, but he duly reached fifty from 80 balls, with 8 fours. With Maynard scoring freely at the other end, the pair added fifty in 14 overs and on 11 Maynard reached 1,000 runs for the 13th time in his career. He seemed poised for another sizeable contribution, but on 33 he drove a delivery back to Ball and was caught and bowled. David Hemp then gave Powell useful support with the left-hander again playing some graceful strokes.

Glamorgan then lost 5 wickets for just 29 runs in the space of nine overs after tea. Powell was the first to go as he was adjudged leg before playing forward to Jon Lewis for 90, after hitting 13 fours. This was Lewis` 50th first-class victim of the season, and he soon added to his tally as Mark Wallace was caught behind by Jack Russell. Ian Harvey then had Robert Croft caught at slip for 11, before Alex Wharf was caught at silly point by Jonty Rhodes as a drive from the burly all-rounder lodged in between Rhodes` forearm and his body.

David Hemp then holed out to deep backward square leg after making a diligent 35 to further lift Gloucestershire`s hopes of victory. But no further wickets fell as Kasprowicz and Harrison proceeded to share a jaunty tenth wicket partnership, adding 47 runs in just 7.3 overs. Harrison struck Ball for a six and two fours in four balls, and then viciously pulled Lewis for six and four in front of square leg, before a heavy shower curtailed play with 8 overs remaining.