By Alun Rhys Chivers
Glamorgan coach Robert Croft has conceded his team need to undergo some hard self-analysis after a crushing defeat to Gloucestershire.
Croft watched his side suffer a heavy 10 wicket loss inside the second day of their Championship clash at Cheltenham – their third successive defeat in four day cricket.
A total of 25 wickets fell on the first day, but it is still unclear whether the college pitch used for the Cheltenham Cricket Festival will be reported – it would mean additional misery for the organisers who say that losing two days’ cricket could cost them up to £7,000.
Croft said: “I felt the game was nailed on day one. It might have been different had we have been no wickets down in our second innings overnight.
“On the first day, the pitch did just enough of everything to make it difficult for the batsmen. It wasn’t as difficult on day two.
“It has been a challenging three weeks for us. Now we need to regroup and reflect on the three games we lost and the two we won before that.”
Having resumed on 59-5, Glamorgan survived the first hour of the second day but lost two wickets in quick succession, both in dubious circumstances.
First to go was Timm van der Gugten, who was adjudged lbw to Kieran Noema-Barnett for 17, although there were hints of an inside edge onto the pads with the score at 100-6. He and Andrew Salter had added 46 for the sixth wicket.
Salter quickly followed in the next over, as bowler Craig Miles appealed initially for lbw and then for a catch by keeper Gareth Roderick. The second appeal was duly given, and the batsman was on his way back in for 31 at 104-7.
Glamorgan had reached 140-7 by lunch, but lost their final three wickets within 40 minutes of the start of the afternoon session.
Graham Wagg was the eighth man out, lbw to Liam Norwell for 30 at 150-8. Chris Cooke and Marchant de Lange added eight to the score before the latter was caught at cover by Jack Taylor off Norwell for two.
The same combination removed Michael Hogan as Glamorgan’s innings came to a close on 158, setting Gloucestershire a mere 135 for victory. Liam Norwell finished with figures of six for 38.
Gloucestershire openers Cameron Bancroft and Chris Dent reached the 50 mark with fewer than eight overs to go before tea. There was a half-chance for Andrew Salter off his own bowling to remove Dent on 35 with the total at 80-0 but he squandered it.
The opening pair brought up the 100 as Dent reached his half-century off 88 balls in an innings which had included some hefty blows to the boundary. Cameron Bancroft reached his half-century as the pair sealed the victory by 10 wickets.