Hero Hogan has Dragons still firing
SOUTH ROUND-UP
MICHAEL Hogan was Glamorgan’s hero, taking a wicket and conceding just five runs in the final over as the Welsh county secured a one-run victory over Essex.
Colin Ingram’s 142 had helped Glamorgan set Essex a target of 282, and the visitors looked on course to get it comfortably following Varun Chopra’s 124 and Ravi Bopara’s 56.
But Hogan stepped up with wickets in the 48th and final over to collect figures of 2-42 and leave Essex one short on 280-9.
Hogan said:“It was exciting for everyone, but I was happy the boys stayed in the contest until the end. I’ve got a bit of history with the last over, but it was one of those where you’ve got nothing to lose.
“Colin hit some big balls, we needed Colin or someone to hit long at the back end and when he’s in, there’s no better player – he’s one of the best white-ball players I’ve seen.”
It was a great show of resilience from Glamorgan, who had fallen well short at home to Somerset, when chasing 339 on Friday. Jim Allenby made 144 for the visitors, while Dean Elgar fell four short of a century. Roelof van der Merwe then claimed 3-21 as Glamorgan were all out for 168.
Kent bounced back from a defeat to Sussex as they defended 200 comfortably against Middlesex. Joe Denly was the unlikely hero with the ball, the opening batsman taking 3-20 with his leg-spin. Wayne Parnell also took three wickets as Middlesex were all out for 154.
Sussex backed up their earlier win over Kent by overcoming Surrey by 95 runs with David Wiese’s 4-29 helping dismiss Surrey for 205 when chasing 301.
Hampshire also picked up a win, chasing down Gloucestershire’s 237 all out with over seven overs to spare, largely thanks to James Vince’s unbeaten 89. Spin duo Liam Dawson and Mason Crane had each claimed three wickets for the Ageas Bowl outfit.