Glamorgan captain Chris Cooke made an unbeaten 107 as Glamorgan had the upper hand of an interesting opening day against Northants at Wantage Road.
It was Cooke’s second century of the season in just his fifth innings. David Lloyd and Kieran Carlson also made half centuries as the visitors finished 324 for seven with Gareth Berg the pick of the Northants bowlers
Having been put into bat, Glamorgan openers Nick Selman and Lloyd made an excellent start for their side batting through the opening hour with very few alarms.
Berg made the first breakthrough with Selman being bowled for 17 after an opening stand of 66. Berg’s opening spell of seven overs conceded just nine runs and he picked up a second wicket when Andrew Balbirnie was LBW for three.
Lloyd passed his half century in 69 balls and didn’t look in any danger right up until the final over of the morning session when he tamely chipped Wayne Parnell to midwicket and was out for 65. It was Parnell’s first wicket in a Northants shirt and meant that Glamorgan took lunch at 100-3.
Parnell struck again in the third over after lunch removing Billy Root LBW for 13. Having lost four wickets for 39 runs, Glamorgan’s innings was steadied by their two in form batsman, Carlson & Cooke.
Carlson, who made twin centuries against Sussex last week, appeared to continue from where he left off with some flowing boundaries early in his innings.
The pair both passed half centuries as the visitors dominated the afternoon session. Carlson was first to the landmark, with his 9th four taking him to a 64-ball 50 while Cooke followed in the next over, reaching his 50 in 81 balls.
Carlson’s innings was ended by Saif Zaib who produced a lovely delivery to remove him for 54. Next ball, Zaib picked up Callum Taylor who failed to reproduce his century on this ground last summer.
Glamorgan went to the tea break on 226-6.
Once again Glamorgan found a partnership after losing quick wickets with Dan Douthwaite joining Cooke at the crease. Douthwaite hit a number of boundaries in a very useful innings of 44, which was ended by the impressive Berg shortly after Northants took the second new ball.
As the shadows lengthened and the Northants attack tired, Cooke was able to move his century in the penultimate over of the day with his 18th four, a pleasant straight drive off Nathan Buck.
Glamorgan will head into the second day as the happier side having closed on 324-7.
