Cricket

Glamorgan's Vitality Blast campaign ended on a record-breaking high as they crushed Somerset by 120 runs, thanks to a magnificent century from captain Kiran Carlson.Carlson's blistering 135 from just 64 balls propelled Glamorgan to a mammoth 243 for four, the highest total of the 2024 Blast. Somerset's chase crumbled under the weight of Marnus Labuschagne's devastating spell, as the Australian all-rounder claimed five wickets for 11 runs, including a triple-wicket maiden.Glamorgan's innings got off to a flying start, with Carlson and Will Smale putting on a destructive opening partnership of 169. Carlson reached his half-century in just 28 deliveries, while Smale notched his first professional half-century.Carlson's century was the first in T20 cricket for Glamorgan, while Smale's six off Riley Merideth was a testament to the hosts' aggressive approach. The partnership was eventually broken when Smale was caught by Sean Dickson off Ben Green.Colin Ingram joined Carlson and kept the run rate soaring, but Carlson's innings came to an end in the 18th over when he was caught by Tom Abell off Merideth. Chris Cooke's cameo of 16 was ended by an impressive boundary catch by Craig Overton, while Ingram was run out off the final ball for 21.Somerset's chase started brightly, but Timm van der Gugten quickly dismissed Tom Banton and Tom Kohler-Cadmore. George Thomas' wicket to 20-year-old off-spinner Kellaway left Somerset on 66 for three, matching Glamorgan's powerplay score.Runs continued to flow for Somerset, but wickets kept falling. Dickson and Abell got starts before Labuschagne's introduction into the attack triggered a collapse. The Australian took the wickets of Abell, Merideth, and Overton in quick succession, before completing his five-wicket haul with the dismissals of Jack Leach and Josh Davey.Somerset were eventually bowled out for 123, giving Glamorgan a resounding 120-run victory. Despite their impressive performance, Glamorgan finished sixth in the South Group, while Somerset qualified for the quarter-finals.

Glamorgan's dominant batting performance propelled them to a resounding 24-run victory over Sussex Sharks in the Vitality Blast at Hove. The visitors amassed a formidable total of 235 for 6, their third-highest in the competition's history, thanks to a blistering start and crucial contributions throughout the innings.Kiran Carlson led the charge for Glamorgan, smashing a career-best 87 off just 47 deliveries. The Glamorgan captain plundered nine fours and three sixes, setting the tone for his team's aggressive approach. Will Smale (33) and Tom Bevan (36) provided valuable support, while Colin Ingram (24) maintained the momentum in the latter stages.Sussex's bowling attack struggled to contain Glamorgan's onslaught, with only Tymal Mills (4-29) offering any resistance. Mills, who is now the competition's leading wicket-taker with 19 scalps, claimed four wickets in the second half of the innings, including the prized scalp of Carlson.In response, Sussex got off to a promising start with Daniel Hughes (74) leading the charge. The Australian left-hander struck four fours and four sixes in his 38-ball knock, but his efforts were not enough to match Glamorgan's imposing total.Mason Crane made an immediate impact for Glamorgan, dismissing Tom Clark and James Coles in his first three deliveries. John Simpson (24) and Hughes shared a brief partnership, but the required run rate proved too daunting.With the rain delay reducing Sussex's target to 79 from 28 deliveries, the Sharks' hopes were effectively extinguished when Hughes holed out to deep backward-square. Glamorgan's bowlers held their nerve in the final overs to secure a comfortable victory.

Glamorgan's Marnus Labuschagne and Kiran Carlson led a dominant batting performance against Northamptonshire in their Vitality Championship match in Cardiff. The duo's impressive partnership of 140 runs propelled Glamorgan to a commanding position, leaving them 111 runs ahead at the close of day two.Labuschagne, the Australian Test star, top-scored with a well-crafted 93, while Carlson contributed a valuable 71. Chris Cooke also chipped in with a crucial 58 as Glamorgan amassed a formidable 390 for 8.Northamptonshire's bowlers struggled to contain Glamorgan's batsmen, with Luke Procter's 3 for 36 being the only notable return. The visitors missed a few chances in the field and were unsuccessful with several close lbw appeals.Glamorgan's innings began steadily with Billy Root and Eddie Byrom putting on 63 runs for the first wicket. However, the introduction of Liam Patterson-White's spin proved decisive as Byrom was caught at slip. Root followed soon after, trapped lbw by Justin Broad.Labuschagne and Carlson then took control, punishing the Northamptonshire bowlers with their aggressive approach. They ran well and scored at a brisk pace, putting pressure on the fielders. Labuschagne looked set for a century but was eventually dismissed by Broad's inswinging delivery.Sam Northeast and Carlson departed in quick succession, but Timm van der Gugten and Cooke steadied the ship with a 68-run partnership. Van der Gugten's aggressive 41 took Glamorgan into the lead, while Cooke's patient fifty further extended their advantage.James Harris and Mason Crane saw Glamorgan through to the close with the lead past three figures. The pitch in Cardiff has historically flattened out as the match progresses, but Glamorgan's substantial lead gives them a strong chance of securing victory.

Glamorgan's batsmen took advantage of inconsistent Leicestershire bowling to amass a formidable 352 for 8 on the opening day of their Vitality County Championship clash at Leicester.Eddie Byrom (86) and Kiran Carlson (80) capitalized on the loose bowling, with Glamorgan reaching 190 for 2 at lunch. However, Leicestershire fought back after the break, reducing the visitors to 277 for 7.Sam Northeast, who famously scored an unbeaten 410 at this ground two years ago, provided stability with an unbeaten 61, anchoring Glamorgan's resistance in the final session.Scott Currie emerged as the standout bowler for Leicestershire, claiming 4 for 53, including the wickets of Marnus Labuschagne and Chris Cooke. Ian Holland, making his Leicestershire debut, also impressed with the new ball.Despite the early setbacks, Glamorgan's batsmen found the boundary with ease, with Byrom and Billy Root scoring freely in the first hour. Leicestershire tightened things up in the second hour, but Byrom and Carlson added 83 in just 12 overs.Byrom's dismissal for 86 off a careless inside edge sparked a collapse, with Carlson (80) and Zain-ul-Hassan falling in quick succession. Northeast and Timm Van der Gugten (32) steadied the ship, but Currie struck again with the second new ball to remove Van der Gugten.Northeast remained unbeaten on 61, ensuring Glamorgan ended the day in a strong position. The Welsh county will be hoping to build on their advantage on day two, while Leicestershire will need to find a way to break through Northeast's resistance.