September 19, 2024

Yorkshire Overcomes Glamorgan’s Resilience, Moves Closer to Division One Return

Matthew Fisher and Ben Coad each took four wickets to help Yorkshire dismiss Glamorgan for 239, maintaining a first-innings lead of 122 runs. Despite a late fightback from Glamorgan’s lower order to avoid the follow-on, Colin Ingram stood out with a solid 82, making him the leading run-scorer in County Championship cricket this season.

Yorkshire then extended their advantage with a strong opening partnership between Adam Lyth and Finlay Bean, putting on a century partnership and ending the day at 116-1. Lyth scored a half-century before being dismissed lbw by James Harris just before the close of play. A win would solidify second-placed Yorkshire’s chance to return to Division One after a two-year absence, especially with leaders Sussex facing a tough match against third-placed Middlesex in the final round of games. The conditions before lunch favored Yorkshire’s bowlers, allowing Coad and Fisher to capitalize effectively against Glamorgan’s batting lineup.

During their spells, Yorkshire’s bowlers made a significant impact, taking six wickets and swinging the match in their favor. Glamorgan captain Sam Northeast was a key wicket, as he can score heavily once set; Ben Coad dismissed him lbw with a ball that came back sharply.

Kiran Carlson fell on his first ball, caught by George Hill in the slips off a beautifully bowled delivery from Matthew Fisher. Ben Kellaway also succumbed to Coad’s skillful swing, caught behind by Jonny Bairstow for just four runs. However, Asa Tribe and Chris Cooke contributed to their own dismissals by aggressively chasing wide deliveries—Tribe was caught by Adam Lyth at second slip, while Cooke was caught by Bairstow.

Yorkshire’s Dominance Leads to Glamorgan’s Downfall

Fisher wrapped up his spell by dismissing Tim van der Gugten lbw with the last ball of the first session. Meanwhile, Colin Ingram, who remained at the crease, showed no signs of the trouble that plagued his teammates. Off-spinner Dom Bess finally got his chance to bowl and took the crucial wicket of Ingram. He cleaned bowled while attempting a cut shot on a ball that wasn’t in his range.

Mason Crane contributed 29 runs in a 63-run partnership with Colin Ingram. However, Glamorgan still fell 40 runs short of the follow-on target. James Harris and Andy Gorvin then stepped up, adding 67 runs with surprising ease to surpass that mark.

Coad returned to bowl and quickly ended Glamorgan’s innings, trapping Harris lbw for a solid 40 runs and then clean bowling debutant Ben Morris. This left Glamorgan all out for 239, giving Yorkshire a first-innings lead of 122 runs and earning them six bonus points. Glamorgan had struggled early, finding themselves at 37 for 4 and then 98 for 6.

In response, Yorkshire’s openers, Adam Lyth and Finlay Bean, could have been more focused as they extended their lead comfortably. However, Lyth was dismissed just before the close of play as Yorkshire looked to set up a declaration for tomorrow.

Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal, and Muneeba Ali Propel Pakistan to Equalize

Sune Luus and Chloe Tryon formed a strong partnership, putting together an unbeaten 80-run standoff in just 42 balls, marking the highest fifth-wicket partnership for South African women in T20Is. However, they couldn’t lead their team to victory against Pakistan in the second T20I, which helped Pakistan level the series in Multan.

Pakistan, batting first, lost opener Gull Feroza early in the fourth over. However, Muneeba Ali provided a solid start, contributing significantly to the team’s 45 runs during the powerplay. She formed a 49-run partnership with Sidra Amin, scoring 45 runs off 34 balls with six fours and two sixes. Both players attacked Seshnie Naidu’s bowling, hitting her for four fours and a six combined. Muneeba was eventually dismissed by Annerie Dercksen on the 11th.

After Sidra Amin was dismissed in the 13th over, Nida Dar and captain Fatima Sana joined forces for a crucial 60-run partnership, pushing Pakistan’s total past 150. Aliya Riyaz scored 6, 4, and 4 off Ayanda Hlubi’s last three deliveries to help Pakistan reach 181 runs.

In response, Pakistan’s bowlers struck early, with Sadia Iqbal removing Tazmin Britz. However, South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt got off to a solid start, forming a 50-run partnership with Anneke Bosch. With South Africa needing nearly 11 runs per over, Nashra Sandhu took a key wicket, dismissing Wolvaardt for 36. Iqbal and Sandhu followed up with quick wickets, taking out Bosch and Nadine de Klerk in successive overs. Sandhu ended with impressive figures of 2 for 20, while Iqbal took 2 for 27.

Sune Luus and Chloe Tryon came together when South Africa needed 94 runs off 42 balls. They regularly found the boundary but couldn’t finish the chase. Luus scored 53 off 29 balls, and Tryon contributed 30 runs off just 16 balls, but ultimately, Pakistan leveled the series with their performance.