Worcestershire boost last-eight hopes

Vikram Solanki made a brisk 34 to help Worcestershire defeat Glamorgan tonight

Worcestershire sealed their fourth Twenty20 Cup victory from six outings with a 29-run win over Glamorgan.

The visitors were indebted to batting contributions from captain Vikram Solanki, Stephen Moore, Moeen Ali and Ashley Noffke as they reached 164 for six in their 20 overs on a good Cardiff pitch.

Glamorgan, who have now lost five out of their six group matches, were always struggling in reply and lost three wickets for one run at one stage before eventually stumbling to 135 all out.

After winning the toss Solanki gave his side’s innings some real impetus at the start.

But after hitting five boundaries he played one shot too many and was well caught by Jamie Dalrymple for 34.

The Glamorgan spinners – Dean Cosker and Robert Croft – managed not to concede a boundary in four overs as they put pressure on Ali and Moore.

But the third wicket partnership still managed to put on 78 in 11 overs before Moore – 42 from 38 balls - skied a catch to Mark Cosgrove.

Moeen claimed a straight six off Dalrymple, but he was stumped next ball for 41 as the Glamorgan captain claimed two wickets in one over to leave Worcestershire on 143 for five in the 18th over.

But though Worcestershire’s innings stuttered they were helped by Noffke who finished with a flourish,  striking 14 runs off the final three balls of the innings from David Harrison.

After off-spinner Gareth Batty opened the bowling and conceded seven runs from his first over, openers Cosgrove and Dalrymple made a useful start to their reply reaching 41 for nought in the sixth over.

But in the space of six balls Glamorgan lost three wickets to be reduced to 42 for three.

Cosgrove guided a catch to third man, Gareth Rees was caught behind attempting to reverse-sweep Batty and Dalrymple was then run out in a mix-up with Ben Wright.

Wright and Michael Powell rebuilt the Glamorgan innings with 60 for the fourth wicket in eight overs but when they were both out in the same over Glamorgan’s hopes were dashed.

Gareth Andrew led the way in the field for the Royals - taking 3-19 with the ball and taking a brilliant catch at backward point to remove last man Harrison.