By Edward Hall
April 19 2002

18 wickets fell on the opening day of the Championship season, with Glamorgan failing to capitalise after they had bowled Derbyshire out for just 217. In reply, Glamorgan reached 163 for 8, still 54 runs behind on first innings. It was a strange day of cricket. Where centuries were being scored elsewhere in the Championship, at Sophia Gardens five ducks were registered as the batsmen struggled. No action was stranger than Glamorgan picking two spinners at the start of play, with Dean Cosker being drafted into the team in place of Owen Parkin. Cosker was not given the ball in Derbyshire’s first innings, which was wrapped up in less than 60 overs. The pick of the bowlers was Simon Jones, who, coming on as second change bowler after Robert Croft, finished with Championship best figures of 6 for 45.

Derbyshire had rattled along in the first hour, with Michael Di Venuto hitting a fluent 38 before Jones picked up four quick wickets. Dominic Cork and Jason Kerr, playing in his first game for the county, threatened to take Derbyshire much closer to a total of 300, but Jones returned to bowl Kerr and Welch, while Croft also chipped in with a couple of wickets.

Glamorgan’s new look opening partnership of James and Hemp lasted only seven deliveries, Hemp clean bowled from his first ball of competitive action since returning to the club. Adrian Dale settled into his new slot at number 3, hitting a necessary 56 after James, Powell and Maynard had all failed. Croft and Darren Thomas both played nice little cameos before both fell just before the close, leaving Glamorgan with little batting to take into the second day.

Michael Kasprowicz finished his first day in county cricket without a wicket or a run to his name, and it will need more of the same from the revitalised Simon Jones tomorrow if Glamorgan are to stay in this game.