A recording-breaking career best from Billy Root put Glamorgan in a strong position after early strikes by Ben Sanderson on Day 2.
Northamptonshire started Day 2 with a lead of 204 after a rain affected first day that saw Adam Rossington post a plucky 77 to help Northants reach 209. Things looked bright early under clear skies, Ben Sanderson striking early to dismiss Nick Selman with only 1 run added to Glamorgan’s overnight score. It didn’t take long for Sanderson to strike again as just 4 overs later he clattered a ball into Marnus Labuschange’s off stump, the Australian not offering a shot, leaving Glamorgan rocked on 18/2. Things got worse for the Cardiff based side as just 2 overs and 2 runs later Sanderson had yet another wicket, Lloyd also shouldering arms and losing his off stump. It could have been 20 for 4 too, Billy Root edging to second slip with Vasconcelos unable to hold on to what would prove a costly chance.
Northants were made to wait for their next breakthrough though as Billy Root and Charlie Hemphrey dug in for the away side. In need of a wicket, Wakely turned to the dangerous Sanderson who got his reward. Hemphrey edging to the captain with the score now at 103/4. This proved to be the last of the action in the morning session as the game went to lunch with Sanderson on figures of 4/31 from his 12 overs.
There was another quick-fire wicket for Northamptonshire in the afternoon session as Vasconcelos took a sharp catch at second slip to dismiss Carlson off the bowling of Nathan Buck. As Glamorgan looked to build a score and frustrate the Northamptonshire bowlers, Rob Keogh was brought into the attack. He claimed the sixth wicket, tempting Dan Douthwaite into a big shot which he miscued into the hands of Proctor at midwicket. This left Glamorgan 207/6 as the visitors began to build a lead. Shortly after Glamorgan surpassed the home sides first innings total, in the 58th over, Billy Root brought up his century. Alongside Tom Cullen (28*), Glamorgan went into tea with the score at 287-6, a lead of 78 runs, Root ending the session on 146*.
Northamptonshire’s bowlers fought to wrestle back control of the scoring rate in the evening session as the scoreboard ticked over 300 for Glamorgan. Wakely took the new ball immediately but it took 10 overs for it to have the breakthrough he needed. Luke Wood found the edge of Cullen’s bat with Rossington taking the catch. Root brought up his double-century as Glamorgan accelerated, until he was caught at long on by Temba Bavuma, finishing his innings on 229. Marchant De Lange was the next to go just two balls later, Luke Wood taking a superb catch in the deep. This proved to be the last of the action as bad light brought an end to play, Glamorgan with 452-9, leading by 243 runs with 1 wicket remaining.
Northamptonshire 209 (Rossington 77, Cobb 31)
Glamorgan 452/9 (Sanderson 4/104, Procter 2/77)