Maynard century takes Glamorgan within reach of Division One

A sparkling Matthew Maynard century off 94 balls and 4-33 from Robert Croft all but sealed Glamorgan's promotion to Norwich Union League Division One after a 51-run day-night victory over Hampshire at Cardiff.

Maynard's century helped Glamorgan set Hampshire 245 to win under the floodlights but they fell well short to lose by 51 runs despite a spectacular start by Neil Johnson and James Hamblin.

But from 120-1 in the 19th over Hampshire crumbled to 145-6 thanks to the double spin option of Robert Croft, who took four for 18 in 24 balls, and Dean Cosker.

After that the run rate increased with Darren Thomas and Andrew Davies sharing the last four wickets to fall as Hampshire found themselves 193 all out with 28 balls to spare.

Earlier, Maynard had come to the middle with Glamorgan in the middle of a crisis, but he produced a vintage innings in front of the Sky TV cameras to put Glamorgan back in the driving seat.

Despite racing to 51-1 in the eighth over, thanks to a whirlwind start from Keith Newell and Ian Thomas, Glamorgan proceeded to lose three wickets for four runs to collapse to 55-4 in the 12th over.

Maynard and Mike Powell nursed Glamorgan out of their malaise with a patient 68 in 18 overs, with Chris Tremlett, named in the England Academy squad, recording first spell figures of 5-1-8-0.

When Powell fell to Neil Johnson, Maynard and skipper Adrian Dale set about upping the tempo taking 92 off 12 overs.

Maynard, who struck Shaun Udal for a straight six, went to his second 50 off just 30 balls with 11 fours.

After reaching his century Maynard wasn't finished as he took 15 off the last over of the innings from Udal including another six. Maynard finished unbeaten on 116 - from 103 balls with two sixes and 12 fours - out of 244-6.