Maynard and Croft lift Welsh spirits

An unbroken sixth wicket partnership of 110 by Matthew Maynard and Robert Croft restored Glamorgan`s fortunes after they had slumped to 38-4 in reply to Derbyshire`s first innings total of 420.

Matthew Maynard continued his fine start to the season with an imperious 85, and the 37 year old had struck 14 crisp boundaries when bad light brought a premature end to the day`s play at 5.15pm.

His partner Robert Croft had also looked in good form with the bat, racing to a 48 ball half-century. Earlier in the day, Croft claimed his 600th first-class victim for the county when he took the final wicket of the Derbyshire innings as Luke Sutton was caught by Adrian Dale for 120.

There is better news today about Darren Thomas` twisted knee, and scans at a Derby hospital revealed that the seamer had only slightly torn a cartilege in his left knee, and the injury was not as bad as first thought.

Andrew Davies had also recovered from the stomach virus that had forced him off the field yesterday, and he was able to spend the morning session in the outfield as the game resumed in Arctic-like conditions. A stark contrast to the balmy temperatures yesterday, and it was so cold today that umpire David Constant donned a white bobble hat and white gloves.