By Gareth James
Matthew Maynard has admitted Glamorgan’s promotion hopes evaporated the moment they heard news from Worcester late on Wednesday afternoon.
The Glamorgan coach revealed his players learned that rivals Middlesex had taken maximum points against Worcestershire at New Road and the steam went out of their own efforts against Sussex.
The Welsh county needed to better Middlesex’s result in their final match of their County Championship Division Two season in order to go up, but Middlesex’s points tally meant a draw would be enough for them to cement the second promotion place.
“We got to tea to see the news up at Worcester, it takes the wind out of the sails a little bit but they stuck at it and they were throwing themselves around in the field,” said Maynard.
“It’s been a tough day for us as a club, we’ve played some good cricket this year but fair credit to Middlesex for pipping us for that second place.”
We’re all set for the final day of the season here at Hove where play will resume at 10:30am
Sussex 312/0 (lead by 37)
— Glamorgan Cricket (@GlamCricket) September 29, 2022
With only a draw required to secure a top-two spot for Middlesex, it will require something of extraordinary proportions on the final day to prevent them from taking the second promotion slot behind Nottinghamshire.
Glamorgan’s match against Sussex looks as if it’s heading for a draw and even if they win, Middlesex would need to implode as they lead Worcestershire by 284 runs, with both second innings to come.
Tom Haines completed two unbeaten hundreds in the same day and opening partner Ali Orr thrashed a magnificent 185 not out to transform Sussex’s fortunes and end Glamorgan’s promotion hopes on Wednesday.
Haines, who had resumed on 34, became the first Sussex batsman since 2014 to carry his bat with 108 but Sussex were still bowled out for 258 in their first innings and followed on 275 behind at the 1st Central County Ground.
At that stage of the third day Glamorgan were firmly on course for the victory that would have kept their hopes of climbing out of Division Two alive.
But as it emerged that rivals Middlesex were getting themselves into an unbeatable position against Worcestershire to claim second spot, Glamorgan spirits seemed to sag and after tea and Orr and Haines took full advantage.
By stumps they had put on a magnificent 311 together in only 53 overs, with 190 of their runs coming in boundaries. Orr finished 185 not out (163 balls, 18 fours, nine sixes) and Haines will resume on 121 (157 balls, 16 fours) with Sussex now 37 runs in front after a remarkable day produced 481 runs.
“I can’t fault the effort but it’s a very flat pitch now with no spin and nothing in it for the seamers, fair credit to both Orr and Haines who played very well,” added Maynard.
“We’ve got to try to take ten wickets by mid-afternoon and knock the runs off to finish the season on a high.