Maynard blasts student attack

Although Glamorgan`s match against Cardiff UCCE petered out into a draw, the friendly gave the county professionals some invaluable practice in readiness for their Championship fixture against Derbyshire starting on Good Friday.

After gaining a first innings lead of 212, Steve James wisely opted against enforcing the follow-on during the afternoon session, and instead the Glamorgan captain gave his batsmen further time in the middle against the university bowlers.

The county`s batsmen responded in positive fashion, amassing 306-5 in just 44.2 overs, with the highlight after tea being some vintage strokeplay from Matthew Maynard, who struck an imperious century from just 49 balls, with 13 fours and 5 sixes. His second fifty came from just 17 balls, and this was the second century of the season for the 37 year old, following his fine hundred against Somerset at Taunton. Maynard appears to be in rich form at the moment, scoring 344 runs in the pre-season games and having only been dismissed once.

David Hemp and Mike Powell also took full advantage of further time at the wicket, and both hit fluent half-centuries before being dismissed by James Tomlinson, the left-arm seamer who is on Hampshire`s staff.

Earlier, the students had began the day on 136-4, but they lost wickets at regular intervals during the morning session, although there was some stubborn resistance from wicket-keeper Ryan Bradshaw, and all-rounder Tom Lambert.

Bradshaw, who had previously been on the M.C.C. groundstaff, made an aggressive 22, whilst Lambert compiled a pugnacious 44 before he was the last man out to give David Harrison his fourth wicket. Darren Thomas also picked up three wickets, with Andrew Davies claiming two and Robert Croft one, whilst Alex Wharf bowled a couple of hostile spells and was unlucky not to pick up at least one wicket.

There was also the welcome sight before play of Mike Kasprowicz fresh from his overnight flight from Australia, where he was the leading seam bowler in Shield cricket last winter.