Five ‘five-fors’ for Kleinveldt but frustration rules once more

Rory Kleinveldt took his fifth five-wicket haul of the season on another incredibly frustrating day at Wantage Road where Glamorgan reached 166 for 6 at stumps having faced just 37 overs in their first innings by the half-way point in the match.
Rory Kleinveldt starred with the ball for Northamptonshire on another wet day at the County GroundRory Kleinveldt starred with the ball for Northamptonshire on another wet day at the County Ground
Rory Kleinveldt starred with the ball for Northamptonshire on another wet day at the County Ground

Rain again dominated the day with no play possible in the morning session and three spells where 32, 33 and 36 balls were sent down to add to the 35 delivered on day one. At least 14.2 overs were available after tea and Kleinveldt continued to use favourable conditions superbly well to take his tally of County Championship wickets for the season to 55. But David Lloyd counterattacked with a first-class best 64 not out.

Kleinveldt took the only wicket to fall in what play there was on the first day and here quickly add two more.

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He got two to nip off the seam: one away to the left-handed Colin Ingram who edged to first slip; the second through bat and pad of right-hander Aneurin Donald to take out middle stump.

Chris Cooke, having never settled, was pinned on the crease and plumb lbw for 7. Rain took the players off immediately but the ball after the restart, Graham Wagg pushed firmly forward and edged low to gully where Josh Cobb got down to take a sharp chance and complete Kleinveldt’s five-wicket haul.

The match may have lost context with so much time lost due to the weather but 84 for 5 still represented a sticky spot for Glamorgan.

They also suffered the loss of their captain Mark Wallace.

He gritted out 27 from 52 balls, with a pleasant back-foot drive for four one of few bright spots on another otherwise dull grey day. But attempting a sharp single, he immediately pulled up and had to be helped off the field, hobbling with an injury to his left calf. Wallace has played 230 consecutive County Championship matches stretching back to 2001 - his run may come to an end next week.

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Better news for Glamorgan came through Lloyd, who like Kleinveldt was also grateful for lighter clouds as he made a third Championship half-century of the season. Driving confidently, he struck two perfect strokes through the covers and went to fifty with a press to deep point in 49 balls and nine boundaries.

But Lloyd should have been taken on 45, driving in the air to short cover.

Rob Newton shelled the low chance that would also have given a maiden Championship wicket to Richard Gleeson, the 27-year-old right-arm seamer who made his first-class debut against Australia last month.

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