Glamorgan lose by seven wickets against Derbyshire

A record third wicket stand of 191 by Chris Bassano and Andrew Gait saw Derbyshire to a comprehensive seven wicket victory over Glamorgan at Sophia Gardens in their fourth round tie in the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy.

The day had begun well for Dominic Cork as he won the toss, and elected to bowl first on a wicket that was slightly damp. Any thoughts that Cork may have entertained of claiming early wickets were quickly erased as Robert Croft, the acting Glamorgan captain, and his partner Ian Thomas prospered against some wayward new ball bowling.

The introduction of Tom Lungley and Graeme Welch slowed Glamorgan`s progress, with Welch also taking the wickets of Croft and Powell. When Ian Thomas was run out for 34, Glamorgan were 85-3, and in the absence of David Hemp who had a stomach virus, 22 year old batsman Jonathan Hughes joined Matthew Maynard at the crease.

The young tyro lost his partner when Maynard edged Shahid Afridi into the gloves of Derbyshire wicket-keeper Luke Sutton, but Hughes remained level-headed and reached his maiden one-day fifty. With the help of the lower order, they added 57 in the final ten overs and saw Glamorgan to a quite respectable total of 248-9.

Mike Kasprowicz raised Welsh hopes by dismissing both Shahid Afridi and Michael Di Venuto in his first six over burst, but Bassano and Gait then began their match-winning partnership. They kept the scoreboard ticking over by astutely rotating the strike and milked the bowling with a series of well judged singles.

Bassano was also quite severe on any loose deliveries, and despite being handicapped by stomach cramps, Bassano reached his second century in the competition after hitting 9 fours and three huge sixes, all of which were struck high over the Taff Stand from the bowling of Dean Cosker. He was eventually bowled by Kasprowicz for a career-best 121, but opening batsman Andrew Gait remained resoloute and was unbeaten on 87 when Derbyshire reached their target with 49 balls to spare, and inflict upon Glamorgan their first one-day defeat of the season.