By Alun Rhys Chivers
Glamorgan are top of the T20 Blast South Group on run rate after a 25-run victory over Gloucestershire at Bristol on Tuesday night.
South African debutant David Miller struck a 33-ball fifty in a third wicket stand of 85 with fellow countryman and Glamorgan skipper Jacques Rudolph, who also hit a half-century, and Graham Wagg claimed his 100th career T20 wicket as the Welsh county bowled their way to the win.
Having been put in on an unusually green Bristol strip, Glamorgan got off to a shaky start, losing both Aneurin Donald and Colin Ingram in the powerplay.
Youngster Donald showed his inexperience when he was out to a Thisara Perera catch off David Payne just one ball after escaping dismissal playing the very same shot, only to be dropped by the Sri Lankan.
Following two centuries in his previous two games, Ingram disappointed an expectant crowd as he got out for 18, giving bowler Perera a simple catch inside the powerplay. He, too, had already been dropped early on in his innings.
David Miller showed his attacking intent and ability from the outset, hitting two huge sixes early on, as he reached his fifty from 32 balls, having already launched four fours and three sixes. But he only lasted one more delivery before being caught on the boundary playing a straight shot to Kieran Noema-Barnett off David Payne.
Rudolph’s half-century came in the seventeenth over from 44 balls, having struck four fours and a six. But he, too, lost his wicket immediately after the milestone, as he was caught by Benny Howell off Perera at 141-4.
Chris Cooke quickly followed, caught by Jack Taylor on the leg-side, attempting a hook shot off Noema-Barnett.
Craig Meschede and Graham Wagg added 34 before the innings ended, with Glamorgan on 176-5.
The Welsh county took just 2.5 overs to claim their first wicket as Gloucestershire chased 177 to win. Michael Hogan bowled Phil Mustard for two, with the score at 19-1.
New batsman Ian Cockbain joined skipper Michael Klinger and they steered the Englishmen to 48-1 in the powerplay overs.
But Cockbain soon departed as keeper Cooke claimed a catch off Meschede from a skied shot. A third wicket came in the following over, as George Hankins found Timm van der Gugten on the edge of the circle on the off-side from Colin Ingram’s leg-spin, and Gloucestershire were in trouble at 54-3.
Klinger continued his own onslaught, however, reaching his half-century from 33 balls, hitting two fours and four sixes along the way. But he was bowled by van der Gugten for 52.
Jack Taylor and Benny Howell added 23 as Gloucestershire slumped to 122-5 when Taylor was caught by Ingram to give Wagg his 100th T20 wicket.
Glamorgan quickly claimed a sixth Gloucestershire wicket on 127 when Perera was caught by Rudolph from Marchant de Lange’s bowling.
Howell departed on 27 when de Lange caught him on the leg-side boundary off Hogan with the score at 138-7.
Glamorgan wrapped up the victory despite a last-ditch effort from Noema-Barnett who struck 18 as the innings drew to a close.
Miller, one of Glamorgan’s six South Africans, said after the game that it’s “not too difficult” to settle in at the county.
“There’s a few South Africans so I feel at home. I haven’t been here long so I’m still settling in, but so far so good. The dressing room is good and if we keep winning, it’ll be even better.”
Of the unusually green wicket, Miller added: “It was a little bit interesting but nothing I haven’t seen before. It didn’t spin too much and it slowed towards the end, so credit to our bowlers.”