Andrew Salter four-for helps Glamorgan hit back after Saif Zaib half-century
Further rain in Cardiff limits chances for either side to push for victory
ECB Reporters' Network
12-Jul-2021
Saif Zaib made 50 but Glamorgan hit back before the rain • Getty Images
Glamorgan 52 for 2 trail Northamptonshire 215 (Zaib 50, Salter 4-18, van der Gugten 3-46) by 163 runs
Glamorgan had a solid day two of their LV= Insurance County Championship with Northamptonshire but more Welsh rain cut into the time available to ensure a result. Figures of 4 for 18 from Andrew Salter helped Glamorgan dismiss Northamptonshire for 215 although the home county only needed to take nine wickets with Gareth Berg absent hurt.
Glamorgan's reply reached 52 for 2 when the second rain shower of the day delivered a fatal blow to the afternoon's action.
Rain meant only 44.5 overs were possible on day one and day two started half an hour late, but Northamptonshire saw Berg suffer an ankle injury warming up. It was a big blow to the visitors.
Overnight batsman Charlie Thurston and Saif Zaib resumed with the score 128 for 4 and while both played and missed on occasion, the pair were relatively untroubled.
Zaib went to 50 from 92 balls, but both batsmen were then dismissed in quick succession. First, Thurston was caught by Billy Root from the bowling of Michael Hogan. Then, Zaib drove Salter to Marnus Labuschagne at short cover for 50. Salter also dismissed Simon Kerrigan for a 22-ball duck, caught by Timm van der Gugten at mid-on.
Ben Sanderson went lbw to Salter with Northamptonshire 197 for 8 at lunch and Salter's fourth ended the innings nine down after the break. Jack White was caught by van der Gugten, with Berg unable to bat.
Glamorgan opener Joe Cooke survived a run-out scare but was then caught at first slip by Northamptonshire captain Ricardo Vasconcelos as Sanderson got one to move away off the seam. Vasconcelos then grabbed David Lloyd too with Luke Procter the bowler this time.
A sharp downpour forced the players from the field at half past three with Glamorgan 48 for 2 and an early tea was taken. Labuschagne and Root returned to the field but were able to add only four more runs before more wet weather intervened.
The second shower of the day was far heavier than the first and play was abandoned at 5.05pm. Labuschagne and Root will restart on Tuesday morning, but Glamorgan will have to bypass their opponents quickly if they are to try and force a win. Australia star Labuschagne - who didn't look totally convincing with a couple of boundaries to third man - will hold the key to their fortunes.
