Honours even against Boland with plenty of promising signs

Glamorgan drew their three day friendly against the Boland Academy at the Somerset West ground. The game, interrupted by rain on the first day, was staged on a sluggish wicket, yet there were many encouraging performances with both bat and ball by the Glamorgan players.

Play was delayed for three hours on the first morning after heavy overnight rain, and then Steve James lost the toss and Glamorgan were inserted by the Boland captain.

Given the damp conditions and the slow wicket, Glamorgan made a commendable start, reaching 243-7 in the 68 overs that were possible. David Hemp, who opened the batting with Steve James, made a steady 38, but it was Robert Croft who ended the day as Glamorgan`s top-scorer with 62.

Glamorgan continued their innings on the second morning, before Steve James declared on 297-7 after some lusty blows by Darren Thomas who hit a quickfire half-century. In reply, the Boland batsmen stuttered to 213-9 with Simon Jones, fresh from his winter in Australia with the E.C.B. Academy, taking four wickets in a hostile spell. Robert Croft also bowled effectively, taking 3-29 from his 19 overs.

There was a prospect of a run chase on the final day as Boland declared on their overnight score, giving Glamorgan a first innings lead of 84. This was soon extended as Steve James (56*) and David Hemp (40) shared a brisk partnership of 76 for the first wicket.

James later set the Boland youngsters a target of 260 in 54 overs, and their openers duly added 41 in even time before Frank Basson was run out backing up as Adrian Dale deflected the ball in his follow through. Darren Thomas then took two wickets in a hostile and accurate spell, and after the loss of a fourth wicket, Boland opted to play for a draw, as their fifth wicket pair opted for survival, adding just 51 runs in the final hour and a quarter.