Maynard and Powell savage the Durham bowlers

A rapid fourth wicket partnership of 234 runs between Matthew Maynard and Michael Powell completely transformed Glamorgan`s position on the second day of their match against Durham at Chester-le-Street. As a result of their efforts, the Welsh county finished the day 319 runs ahead with 6 wickets in hand.

The pair had come together with Glamorgan on 65/3 after the Welsh county had dismissed Durham in the morning session to secure a first innings lead of 23 runs. Having lost these three early wickets, it looked as if the visitors might struggle to amass a formidable lead.

These thoughts were quickly dispelled as Powell and Maynard took apart the Durham bowling with a ferocious counter-attack, as both batsmen savaged the faster and slower bowlers. In all, Glamorgan scored 239 runs between lunch and tea, and put pay to any thoughts of another dramatic collapse.

Powell raced to his fourth century of the summer, driving strongly in an arc between mid-wicket and cover-point, whilst also punishing anything dropped short. Maynard was also in imperious form as he recorded his 51st hundred for the Welsh county - just one short of the club record held by Alan Jones and Hugh Morris - and his 56th in all first-class cricket.

Maynard reached his century from 97 balls with 15 fours and 3 sixes, but on 102 he fell on his wicket as he was struck on the head trying to hook a ball from Shoaib Akhtar. He was the second Glamorgan batsman to be dismissed `hit wicket` against the Pakistani paceman as earlier Mark Wallace had slipped whilst facing Shoaib and had dislodged a bail.

The partnership between Maynard and Powell was also the highest ever 4th wicket stand in Championship cricket against Durham, and Glamorgan`s best for that wicket against Durham, beating the 132 added by Tony Cottey and Matthew Maynard at the Riverside ground in 1998.

After Maynard had been helped from the field, the umpires took the players off as the light had further deteriorated. Powell remained unbeaten on 156, just 9 runs short of a career best in Championship cricket, and 44 runs short of a second double-hundred for Glamorgan.

Earlier, Glamorgan had dismissed Durham for 247, picking up the remaining seven wickets for just 105 runs, with Alex Wharf taking 3/41, and Michael Kasprowicz taking another two wickets to finish with 4/65.