Glamorgan rue missed chances as Northants earn draw

After taking four wickets in the pre-lunch session, Glamorgan must have fancied their chances of recording their second Championship win of the season. But two missed chances, and stubborn half-centuries by Tony Penberthy and Russell Warren allowed Northamptonshire to stave off defeat and the game, on a wearing Cardiff wicket, ended in a draw as Northamptonshire reached 349 for 7 in their second innings after following on.

As in the visitors first innings, Robert Croft was Glamorgan's main wicket-taker, with Croft taking 5 for 96 during a marathon spell of 57 overs in the Northants second innings. The off-spinner had a spell of 4-11 in the morning session as Northants slipped from their 126-0 at the start of play to 176-4 at the interval.

In his fifth over of the day, Croft broke the opening partnership as Adrian Rollins edged a ball to Jimmy Maher at first slip. In the next couple of overs, Mike Hussey went on the offensive against Croft, twice hitting him to the cover boundary, but shortly afterwards, Croft gained his revenge as the Australian chopped the ball onto his stumps as he attempted a cut.

Three balls later Russell Warren survived a stumping chance, but Croft was back in the wickets soon afterwards as Mal Loye mistimed a drive and was caught by Steve James at mid-off. Then a couple of overs later, Croft induced a leading edge from Alex Swann, and as he celebrated his fourth wicket, Croft and the rest of the Glamorgan team must have been sensing victory.

However, Glamorgan were thwarted during the afternoon session by a stubborn partnership of 94 in 20 overs by Russell Warren and Tony Penberthy, although Warren had a second life when on 28 he survived a stumping chance off Dean Cosker. Undeterred by the turning wicket, Penberthy and Warren continued to punish the odd loose ball, until on 60 Penberthy edged Cosker into the hands of Jimmy Maher at slip.

Glamorgan's slim hopes of victory were briefly raised after tea when Adrian Dale claimed a wicket in his first over, as he trapped Graeme Swann leg before. But Warren remained defiant at the other end, and he eventually reached his patient half-century off 143 balls.

Having guided his side to safety, Warren's long vigil finally ended when on 77 he pushed forward to Croft and got a thin edge to the keeper. This gave Croft his fifth and final wicket of the innings, plus the splendid match figures of 10 for 191 - his first ten wicket haul of the season, and the fourth of his county career.

Despite not being able to force a victory, Glamorgan will be able to take great heart from Croft's performance, his 90.3 overs in the match, and his innings of 93. Having spent much of the past month with the England one-day squad, Croft had only bowled 84 overs before this match in Championship cricket with just 4 first-class wickets to his name. If the England selectors need an in-form spinner for the forthcoming Ashes series, Croft has more than stated his fine credentials.