Essex vs Glamorgan – County Championship Division 2 – Mills late burst help Essex gain 77-run lead
Tymal Mills’, Essex’s young left-armer, career best 4 for 25 helped his side to instigate a late order collapse, which saw Glamorgan succumbing on 187 in their first innings, in reply to 259, on Day 3 of the County Championship Division 2 games, played at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, on May 4, 2012.
With rain washing out play on Day 2, draw remained the likely outcome after the hosts had piled on 115 for the loss of two wickets – opener Nick James falling off David Masters, while William Bragg was dismissed by Charl Willoughby.
Stewart Walters and Gareth Rees than helped Glamorgan to rebuild, adding 54 for the third wicket. Under fading lights, both men held the innings well before fortunes tuned around swiftly in favour of the away team.
Greg Smith struck twice in successive overs, sending back Rees (31) and Ben Wright. Skipper, Mark Wallace, then joined Walters and the two managed to collect 39 to take their team’s total to 158.
With six wickets remaining, Glamorgan were in pole position to get their first batting points, after failing to achieve it in their last four outings. However, all changed in the next 10 overs as the home side buckled under pressure to leave themselves chasing the match.
Masters claimed the wicket of Wallace before Mills steamed in to get the better of Walters, who departed after top scoring with 69. Moises Henriques, the Australian overseas player, lasted just three deliveries – unlucky to walk back after his attempted duck to a bouncer resulted in the ball recoiling onto his stumps.
Graham Wagg (22) and Dean Cosker added a cautious 10, but neither could cut loose – the latter edging to second slip, while the former cleaned up by Masters. Mills concluded the rout by taking his fourth wicket, as Essex completed an impressive comeback.
It allowed the visitors to take a healthy 72- run first innings lead, and they further added 5, courtesy of openers Billy Godleman and Alastair Cook, who remained not out on 1 and 4 respectively.
Following his impressive effort, Mills said, "The first spell I tried to bowl what wasn't in my game plan. I wasn't running in as well. I tried to bowl a fuller length, which was the right thing to do for a lot of the bowlers but not for me. After tea I just tried to bowl as quick as I can and ended up getting my rewards."