Maher`s brilliant 142 steers Glamorgan to victory.

A brutal 142 by Jimmy Maher from just 113 balls saw Glamorgan shatter a host of competition records as they demolished Essex by 8 wickets on a fine batting wicket at Cardiff. Set a formidable target of 267 in 45 overs, Maher `s ferocious assault saw Glamorgan cruise to their target with 41 balls to spare.

Maher`s innings completely overshadowed Nasser Hussain`s career-best 144 after Essex had opted to bat first. The England Test captain batted throughout the innings, striking 17 fours and 2 sixes from 137 balls, and he was given useful support by captain Ronnie Irani who scored 63 before he was run out after adding 148 with Hussain for the second wicket.

Needing to score at almost six an over, Glamorgan needed a good start, and Maher was quickly into top gear as he treated the lacklustre Essex bowlers with complete disdain. The Queenslander raced to his first League half-century of the season, hoisting Napier into the stands at the Cathedral Road end, and with Robert Croft in good form at the other end, Glamorgan reached 100 in only the 14th over.

The run spree continued as Maher then went into overdrive and when the opening stand reached 171 it was a new competition record, eclipsing the 170 added by Steve James and Matthew Maynard against Durham in 1998. The carnage eventually came to an end though when Croft was bowled by Bopara with the total on 181 and Maher two short of his first League century.

The Australian duly reached this landmark and then unleashed some cavalier shots before holing out on the cover point boundary attempting his fifth six. Maher departed to a standing ovation and his 142 was the second highest for Glamorgan in the competition, bettered only by Jacques Kallis` 155 against Surrey at Pontypridd in 1999, and his innings contained a record number of boundaries - 18 fours and 4 sixes.

Glamorgan duly cantered to victory in the 39th over and their total of 269-2 was the highest total they have ever made batting second and winning in the competition, passing the 263-3 against Northants at Luton in 1992. With Surrey losing for the first time this season at Edgbaston, Glamorgan`s remarkable run-chase means that they are just two points behind Surrey.