Grant and Rees revive Glamorgan

Richard Grant's 75 was his highest championship score of the summer - at Southend

Glamorgan’s fortunes were revived by a second-wicket partnership between Richard Grant and Gareth Rees at Southend.

The Welshmen finished on 252 for five, a lead of 185 runs over Essex after an absorbing second day’s play which was brought to a premature close by rain.

The home side gained a first innings lead of 67 and had the visitors on the back foot when Graham Napier struck early to remove Robert Croft, who was surprisingly promoted in the order, with just seven runs on the board.

However, Glamorgan enjoyed a second-wicket partnership worth 120 runs between regular openers Grant and Rees who prospered on a pitch gradually easing after the problems of the opening day when 15 wickets fell.

Grant grafted responsibly to offer diligent support to the more fluent Rees who used his feet to good effect with both batsmen becoming the first in the match to reach half-centuries.

Rees was the first to reach the milestone having faced 102 balls with eight boundaries while his partner required only 48 balls that embraced nine boundaries.

Only one wicket fell in the afternoon session while 154 runs were scored to ease the visitors back into the match before David Masters returned to the attack and immediately found the edge to have Rees caught by James Foster for 62.

Tom Maynard contributed 21 in a third-wicket stand worth 49 before he was splendidly caught in the gully by Ravi Bopara to give Napier a second wicket and the bowler then added another when ending Grant’s 194 minutes vigil.

Having reached his highest championship score of the summer, he drove to cover and was caught by Varun Chopra for 75 and the home side were given further encouragement when Jamie Dalrymple was bowled around his legs by Danish Kaneria without scoring as three wickets fell in 20 deliveries to bring Essex back into contention.

Michael Powell and Mark Wallace prevented any further problems and had posted an unbeaten 62 runs partnership when the weather closed in, cutting the final seven scheduled overs from play.

Earlier in the day, Essex had lost their remaining five wickets for 67 runs having resumed on level score with their opponents.

Mark Pettini went to the last ball of the opening over and without addition before James Foster put the home side ahead. However, he soon became a fourth victim for Adam Shantry who took 4-61 on his debut appearance for Glamorgan while James Harris had Tim Phillips caught for 11 after the left-hander had struck him for two boundaries earlier in the over.

The last two wickets though added 47 runs with Chris Wright finishing on 29 not out before Jason Gillespie wrapped up the innings. He had Napier caught at deep square-leg for 17 seeking his fourth boundary and then pinned Kaneria in the crease for one to finish with 4-32, his best championship figures for the county.