Maynard’s tribute to Durham attack after narrow loss
MATTHEW Maynard was full of praise for Durham after they battled to victory over Glamorgan in division two of the LV= Insurance County Championship.
The Welsh county looked to be in the box seat when they shaded the first three days at The Riverside and were left chasing 196 for their third win of the season.
But the dismissal of key batsman Marnus Labuschagne late on the third evening on Saturday altered the complexion of the contest, and from 65-2 Glamorgan collapsed to 137 all out to lose by 58 runs.
Matthew Potts claimed career-best figures of 7-40 and ended with match figures of 11-101 to boost his hopes of an England call-up this summer.
Glamorgan head coach Maynard said: “I thought Durham bowled brilliantly.
“The wicket was a little bit up and down, but Matthew Potts and Brydon Carse alongside Ben Raine and Chris Rushworth gave us nothing.
“I think there was one four-ball in the entire session. They bowled a good length and made life very tough for us.
“We said we were very comfortable chasing the target, and we said let’s play as busy as we have been.
“They set the fields very well and changed the bowlers to keep them as fresh as possible. They didn’t miss the target. Full credit to the way Durham went about it.
“I think they got a couple of decisions that went their way and we’ve paid the consequence for that.
“The five-penalty run offences were Billy Root as he didn’t believe he got anywhere near the ball and lifted his head and arms up.
“Michael Neser then clearly felt he hit the ball and raised his bat a little bit.
“We have to be careful in the game that we don’t confuse human emotion with reactions to a decision that has gone against you.
“But the rules are the rules, and we have broken them in both cases.”