Marnus Labuschagne and Billy Root, two newcomers to Glamorgan’s ranks this season, together with Kiran Carlson, held centre stage against Northants in the Welsh county’s opening championship game of the season at Sophia Gardens. The home team were 433 for 4 at the close with Labuschagne scoring 121, with Root and Carlson undefeated on 126 and 101 respectively.
Both teams were eager to bat first on an easy paced pitch, and after Glamorgan had called correctly, Charlie Hemphrey, another Queensland debutant, and Nick Selman put on 27 before Selman nicked Nathan Buck to first slip. Hemphrey soon followed edging, Windies captain, Jason Holder to the wicketkeeper.
Lloyd who struck seven fours, was the next to go, when he chipped Muzarabani to square leg, before Root joined Labuschagne to add 154 in the afternoon session. Labuschagne scored 90 in that session, as the pair raced along at nearly five runs an over.
The Australian eventually departed, caught at long leg from a short delivery, again off the bowling of Muzarabani, the debutant picking up two wickets. However, Kiran Carlson started with a flurry of boundaries, and outscored Root as he galloped to 50 from only 55 balls.
Northants used seven bowlers, but none could make an impression on the fifth wicket pair, especially Carlson who dominated the final session. Glamorgan scored at such a rapid pace that they gained the fifth and maximum batting point in only the 92nd over, with Carlson reaching his hundred- the third of the innings- from only 101 balls.
Northants coach David Ripley thought “the Glamorgan batsmen played very well, and until we see both teams batting then we will know how good the pitch is. We could have bowled better, and attacked one side of the pitch, and we have to be more ruthless tomorrow”