da bet7： Surrey defeated Glamorgan by 8 runs at Cardiff to win the National League titleafter an enthralling contest on a slow and low Sophia Gardens wicket
Andrew Hignell14-Sep-2003Surrey defeated Glamorgan by 8 runs at Cardiff to win the National League titleafter an enthralling contest on a slow and low Sophia Gardens wicket.The visitors won the toss and a disciplined opening spell from Michael Kasprowiczsaw Surrey slip to 61/4. They were then indebted to a partnership of 76 in16 overs between Adam Hollioake and Mark Ramprakash for the fifth wicket. TheSurrey captain was initially quite circumspect, before taking 21 runs off anover from Dean Cosker to reach his half-century.In the following over, Hollioake was bowled by Croft, but Ramprakash continuedto anchor the innings, and after reaching his fifty, from 91 balls, he chippedAdrian Dale to Alex Wharf at long-off who took a fine diving catch. Dale then tookthe following three wickets as the visitors reached 198-9 in their 45 overs,with the Glamorgan all-rounder finishing with a commendable return of 4/35.Nedding to score at 4.4 to beat Surrey at Cardiff for the first time since 1990,Glamorgan also lost early wickets with Jimmy Maheredged an expansive drive to the wicket-keeper and then Alex Wharf, promoted topinch-hit, was run out off his first ball. Ian Thomas struck a note of defianceas he lofted Martin Bicknell for six, but he then became another victim for Battyas he flicked down the leg-side against Franklin Rose.Michael Powell and David Hemp then stabilised the innings with a 49 run partnershipbefore Powell on 40 was bowled by Tim Murtagh, to leave the Glamorgan batsman just 3runs short of 600 runs for the season in League cricket.Hemp and Mark Wallace soon followed as Glamorgan slipped to 130/7, before RobertCroft and Michael Kasprowicz joined forces to keep the scoreboard ticking over.However, there were few boundaries against the wily Adam Hollioke and the accurateRikki Clarke who showed his international credentials with a disciplined spell.It was Hollioake who made the all-important breakthroughas Martin Bicknell heldonto a fine running catch to dismiss Croft for 20. David Harrison then addeda further 23 with Kasprowicz before the Australian was bowled by Tim Murtagh toleave Glamorgan on 184/9.Harrison and Cosker then scrambled a few singles but Clarke returned to settle theissue with 8 balls remaining as he uprooted Harrison`s middle-stump with Glamorgan 9runs short of their target.