Jacques Rudolph’s 111 helped Glamorgan lay the foundation for a nine-wicket victory over Worcestershire in the County Championship.
Having announced that this season will be his last, Rudolph played a fantastic innings at the top of the order. Having bowled Worcestershire out for 267, Glamorgan built up a healthy first-innings lead thanks to the former Protea’s 209-ball knock that featured 14 fours. This allowed the Welsh outfit to reach 381 and a first innings lead of 114.
Glamorgan made light work of Worcestershire in their second innings. Michael Hogan’s 5-38 meant Worcestershire were bundled out for a modest 129, leaving Glamorgan needing just 16 runs for victory. Glamorgan knocked it off for the loss of one wicket, Rudolph finishing unbeaten on 11.
Gloucestershire vs Nottinghampshire
Elsewhere, South African duo Gareth Roderick and Graeme van Buuren had mixed fortunes during Gloucestershire’s match against Nottinghamshire. In the hosts first innings, it was Roderick who anchored the innings by scoring 96 off 215 balls (ten fours) while Van Buuren was out for a golden duck as Gloucestershire posted 303.
Nottinghamshire replied with a mammoth 535-8 declared which took a lot of time out of the game. In Gloucestershire’s second dig it was Van Buuren who shone and Roderick who couldn’t make an impact. Van Buuren’s 242-ball 88 (nine fours, one six) was in stark contrast to Roderick’s contribution of just two when the game was finally drawn with the hosts on 254-5.
Middlesex vs Lancashire
Despite his team suffering an eight-wicket defeat, Ryan Mclaren enjoyed a good showing with bat and ball for Lancashire. His 2-26 from 11 overs provided good support for the rest of the bowling attack to dismiss Middlesex for 180. Mclaren proved his ability to wield the willow too, scoring 75 off 137 (eight fours). His countryman meanwhile, Dane Vilas, added 27 (three fours) to his side’s commanding score of 309.
Mclaren was in the action with the ball yet again, this time claiming 3-48 off 17 overs to help see the hosts off for 236. Lancashire scored the 107 runs required for the loss of two wickets to complete a comfortable victory.
Leicestershire vs Sussex
Vernon Philander was the standout South African performer in this encounter. Though his figures of 1-57 did little to stop Leicestershire posting 340, he more than made up for it with the bat. His lower-order heroics of 73 off 118 balls (eight fours) boosted a floundering Sussex batting display.
Philander’s contribution ensured the visitors were only in arrears by 56 runs. Sussex showed a much-improved effort with the ball the second time around, bowling the hosts out for 175. Stiaan van Zyl’s innings of 24 (one four) aided the Sussex run-chase as they scored the 231 required for victory for the loss of only five wickets.
