This is the third in the popular series of features during the Autumn and early Winter looking back on some of the highlights of 2017 season. This instalment looks at record run-chases in white-ball cricket as before the start of the summer, Glamorgan had never successfully chased more than 330 in a List A game, nor had they scored more than 200 batting second to win a Twenty20 match.
In the space of nine weeks both of the records had been beaten as the Welsh county’s batsmen, in some style, set a pair of new benchmarks. Both had a common theme, namely some turbo-charged batting by Colin Ingram and Chris Cooke, a pair of cameo’s from Craig Meschede, plus a never-say-die attitude from the lower order.
The first came on May 12th in the Royal London One-Day Cup game against Hampshire at The Ageas Bowl where Glamorgan made 334-7 to surpass their previous List A best of 330-3 made against Sussex at Hove in 2014. Colin made a fine century to keep up with the asking rate before Chris bludgeoned a 24-ball fifty with a brace of huge sixes over mid-wicket as the target dropped to 39 from 18 balls.
Shortly after striking his seventh six, Colin miscued to backward point but whilst the ball spiralled in the air, the batsmen crossed with Chris then pulling the next delivery – a no-ball full toss from Ian Holland– for six before depositing the free hit over mid-wicket for another maximum in what proved to be a decisive passage of play . Craig then calmly drove Kyle Abbott back over his head for four and six, before being caught at long-on to leave nine runs needed from the final over. After a trio of scampered singles, Chris then deposited the penultimate ball from Reece Topley high over mid-wicket for six to win the game.
On July 16th Glamorgan successfully chased a target of 220 to beat the Essex Eagles in their T20 contest at Chelmsford . Despite a required rate of ten an over, Colin set Glamorgan on their way with another six-laden century, compiled from just 50 balls whilst Chris also produced another cameo, striking Mohammad Amir for a trio of fours, before striking Paul Walter for a pair of sixes to leave Glamorgan needing 20 from the last two overs.
Their hopes appeared to be dented as Colin was run out backing up before Chris was caught at deep point. But together with Graham Wagg, Craig maintained the momentum with nine required from the last over from Walter. Singles came from the first three balls before Craig failed to connect with the fourth but he made amends by clubbing the next to deep mid-wicket for four before calmly upper-cutting the last ball over point for six to win the game.
Further details about the record broken last season will appear in the 2018 Glamorgan Yearbook, which is due to be published next March. To place an order at the special advanced price of £17 (plus £1.99 postage), please send an email to museum@glamorgancricket.co.uk or write to Yearbook Orders, c/o Archives Department, Glamorgan CCC, The SSE SWALEC, Cardiff, CF11 9XR. Please note that from December 1st, the Yearbook will be available at £18 (plus £1.99 postage).