Northants lead at Cardiff by 196 runs

Glamorgan`s hopes of promotion into Division One took a dent today at Sophia Gardens, as they were dismissed by Northamptonshire for 203 on the second day of the County Championship fixture, to give the visitors a lead of 116 on first innings. After tea, a quickfire fifty from David Sales helped the English county extend their lead to 196, and Glamorgan will be hoping for quick wickets tomorrow morning to prevent the visitors from building up a formidable advantage.

It was the Northants spinners who caused most problems for the Welsh batsmen, with Jason Brown and Graeme Swann sharing seven wickets betwtween them as Glamorgan collapsed during the afternoon session, losing their last 6 wickets for 33 runs.

Matthew Maynard top scored in Glamorgan`s first innings total of 203, before becoming one of five batsmen to fall to Swann, who finished with figures of 5/37, including a spell of 3 wickets in 5 balls without conceeding a run as Glamorgan`s innings came to an end.

Michael Powell also made an assured 40 before becoming Swann`s first victim, but not before the Glamorgan batsman had passed 1,000 runs for the season.

The post-tea session began with Glamorgan`s new ball bowlers claiming two early wickets, but Michael Hussey and David Sales then added 73 runs in even time for the third wicket and with Sales making a forthright half-century with 10 fours, Northants ended the day 196 runs ahead with 8 wickets in hand.