Powell hits his second hundred of the match

Mike Powell became the first Glamorgan batsman to score a century in each innings of the match against Worcestershire as he struck an immaculate 142 at Sophia Gardens and together with a restrained 63 from David Hemp, he guided Glamorgan to a lead of 253 with two second innings wickets still standing.

The pair shared a partnership of 148 in 47 overs for the third wicket after the visitors had gained a first innings lead of 58 after their first innings ended in the fourth over of the morning. Glamorgan lost an early wicket when Adrian Dale edged to first slip in the second over, and soon after the deficit had been wiped off, they lost their second wicket as Jonathan Hughes was dismissed by Gareth Batty for 41.

Hemp had already been batting for an hour and a quarter when Powell arrived at the crease, and as Hemp continued to play watchfully, Powell soon went on the offensive, striking Batty for three consecutive fours and also lofting the off-spinner high into the seating at the Cathedral Road End. He continued to drive crisply as Hemp maintained his patient vigil at the other end, but their partnership ended when Hemp was run out for 63 off the last ball before tea.

Shortly after the interval, Powell reached his second century of the match with a sweetly-timed cover drive, having faced 164 balls and hitting 15 fours and a six, and duly entered the county`s record books as the first man to score a hundred in each innings against Worcestershire.

Soon after, two quick wickets fell to Justin Kemp, as the tall South African bowled Matthew Maynard with a ball that scuttled along the ground, and then had Mark Wallace caught behind for 3. But Powell remained defiant, and with Robert Croft dropping anchor in the final hour, the pair added 64 in 18 overs before Croft was bowled by the young off-spinner Shaftab Khalid. Powell continued to pepper the boundary boards, but on 142 he overbalanced trying to drive Kemp, and after wicket-keeper Steve Adshead had removed the bails at the second attempt, Powell departed having struck 20 fours and a six in his four and a quarter hour stay at the wicket.

Kemp took his fourth wicket as he trapped Mike Kasprowicz leg before shortly before the close, as Glamorgan ended the day on 311/8. If the heavy rain that is forecast for South Wales tomorrow morning stays away, there is the prospect of an interesting final day`s play in what has been an enthralling contest so far.