Conservative tactics and a batsman-friendly pitch meant that there was barely a soul in the ground by the time the two sides gave up on what had long become a tiresome affair
ECB Reporters Network
22-Sep-2017
File photo – Nick Selman in action • Getty Images
Glamorgan 442 (Carlson 191, Salter 84, Payne 3-65, Taylor 3-50) and 353 for 3 dec ( Selman 142*, Salter 88*) drew with Gloucestershire 399 for 8 dec (Howell 163, Bracey 156)
Glamorgan supporters would have been heartened by the performances of their young batsmen on the final day of their last home game of the season, but would also been disappointed not have witnessed a positive outcome to the game. Glamorgan, who led by 43 going into the last day, were never in a position to declare after Phil Mustard had opted to prolong the Gloucestershire first innings, instead of declaring some 100 runs adrift.
Mustard said at the end of the third day that he had hoped to gain a lead on first innings, and then take some early wickets to put the opposition under pressure. This was unlikely to happen as Liam Norwell, his leading wicket taker this season, was unable to bowl, while the Cardiff pitch did nothing to encourage the bowlers throughout the game.
A defeat for either team would not have made any significant difference to their respective positions in the Division Two, and although Mustard did bring himself and Chris Dent into the attack, and offer some easy runs, it was a token gesture with only 47 overs left in the day.
Nick Selman and Andrew Salter batted throughout the morning session, and had put on 185 in 51 overs for the second wicket, before Salter’s career best score of 88 – his previous best was 84 in the first innings -, was caught at slip off Jack Taylor’s off spin.
Selman went to score his fourth century of the season, before proceeding to his career best, and also share a rapid 89-run partnership with Kiran Carlson, who made 53, before he went lbw to Dent.As the light worsened and Mustard hinted he would recall the seamers, the umpires called an early tea.
There were barely 50 spectators left in the ground when play resumed, and the ECB could consider a move in future that a game could end before the scheduled close on the final afternoon, if there is no chance- of a result.
Glamorgan ended on 353 for 3, a lead of 396, with Selman undefeated on 142, and Chris Cooke 46.
