Gloomy day for Glamorgan

Ravi Bopara took 3-19 as Glamorgan were skittled

Glamorgan's misery continued as LV County Championship Division Two’s bottom side were bowled out cheaply by Essex at Southend.

They were dismissed for 139 in 54.1 overs after winning the toss and then saw their rivals reach that total before the close with five wickets still intact.

The visitors were in disarray after the first dozen overs, during which they lost three wickets for 25.

Two of them were claimed by Chris Wright, the fast bowler making his first championship appearance since early May.

Wright later returned to take two more wickets on his way to figures of 4-30, the best return of his career as he took advantage of a pitch offering uneven bounce.

The only Glamorgan batsmen to top 20 were Michael Powell (24) and Mark Wallace. Wallace scored 21 of his 37 in one over against Danish Kaneria with the help of three fours and a six before the Pakistan leg-spinner had him well stumped down the leg-side by James Foster in his next over.

But it was Ravi Bopara who was to share the bowling honours with Wright.

It was he who got rid of Powell when he had him caught behind and the medium pacer went on to finish with 3-19. The other two wickets were picked up by fast bowler David Masters at a personal cost of 16 from 15 overs.

Adam Shantry provided Glamorgan with a crumb of comfort when Essex replied. Making his championship debut for the county, the left-arm seamer removed openers Jason Gallian and Varun Chopra in his first four overs and later returned to get rid of night watchman Masters.

In between, a half-century partnership involving Grant Flower and Bopara was to cement Essex's commanding position, with Bopara being severe on James Harris.

In one over he helped himself to four boundaries but just when he looked set for another substantial contribution in what has proved a fruitful season, he edged Jason Gillespie to slip with 31 against his name. The resolute Flower was finally undone by left-arm spinner Dean Cosker for 39 on a day which did not disappoint the bowlers.

This was the fourth occasion a championship match has been played at Garon Park and in each of the others at least 13 wickets have tumbled on the opening day.