By Blake Bint
GLAMORGAN had to settle for a draw in their opening LV County Championship Division Two match of the 2023 season, despite twin centuries in the first innings against local rivals Gloucestershire.
Kiran Carlson and Billy Root made the most of an improving Sophia Gardens pitch on day two to take what looked like being a decisive lead against recently relegated Gloucestershire after the first innings.
The pair scored 106 and an unbeaten 119 respectively, to take Glamorgan to 404 by the early stages of day three, supported by Eddie Byrom’s gritty 81 a day previously and withstanding the dangerous pitch from day one.
From 35-3 to 322-6, Glamorgan repelled Gloucestershire’s bowlers after their bright start, particularly Marchant de Lange and Tom Price.
A malfunctioning cover allowed added moisture to impact the pitch on day one after Glamorgan won the toss and bowled first, bowling Gloucestershire out for 165.
Timm van der Gugten stepped up as the senior bowler, in the absence of Michael Neser and recently transferred Michael Hogan, with 5-26.
Despite their 239-run lead in the first innings, the English county, led by former Ireland captain, Will Porterfield, did not go down without a fight.
An opening stand of 161 between Chris Dent and Marcus Harris on day three demonstrated the pitch’s progression, with the latter ending on 148.
Set 331 in 46 overs to win, Glamorgan were instantly pegged back as they struggled to 38-3. Byrom, similar to the first innings, remained stubborn and gave minimal chances as he and Root saw home the draw with scores of 36 not out and 39 not out, respectively.
Glamorgan would later regret not picking a frontline spinner as Carlson bowled 30 overs in the second innings when Gloucestershire sailed to 569-7, finally declaring on the closing day after captain Graeme van Buuren achieved the fourth century of the match on a dying pitch.
Following the draw, Glamorgan head coach, Matt Maynard said: “[We’re] Very happy with the first two days, probably couldn’t have gone much better for us.
“I think that opening partnership from Gloucestershire in the second innings, they took any sting out of the new ball, played well, rode a little bit of luck early doors but you need that, but played very, very well.
“They made it tough for us and kept on building those partnerships throughout the innings. The good thing is the lads have had 120 overs in their legs, they’ve got used to that which early season will be priceless.
“We will feel the benefit of that in a couple of weeks’ time against Durham.
“I think Gloucestershire have played really well to get themselves out of a bit of a tricky situation.
“That opening partnership, and other batters coming in, played really well.
“But it was great composure but Eddie Byrom and Billy Root to see out the innings and secure the draw.”