In a thrilling match at Chelmsford, young seamer Ben Morris made his mark as Glamorgan continued their unbeaten streak in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup with a 32-run victory over Essex. Morris, who made his debut last year in the same competition, picked up his first List A wickets with figures of 3 for 52, while Jamie McIlroy also shined with a career-best 3 for 33.
Essex put up a strong fight thanks to a remarkable last-wicket partnership of 68 runs between Ben Allison and Aaron Beard. This exceptional stand almost turned the tide for Essex, showcasing their fighting spirit despite falling short in the end.
Glamorgan’s total of 283 was built on the solid foundation laid by Sam Northeast, who scored a crucial 89 runs. His partnerships with Billy Root and Asa Tribe kept the scoreboard ticking, setting up a competitive target for Essex to chase.
Northeast’s dismissal marked a turning point in the match, as debutant wicketkeeper Simon Fernandes played a key role with five catches and two run-outs. Shane Snater and Jamal Richards also made significant contributions with the ball for Essex.
Despite early breakthroughs by Snater, Glamorgan batsmen managed to build partnerships and push the score beyond 250. Kiran Carlson, Will Smale, and Noah Thain all made valuable contributions before falling to the Essex bowlers.
In the end, it was Morris’ exceptional bowling performance that sealed the victory for Glamorgan, as he dismissed key batsmen to restrict Essex’s chase and secure another win for his team in the tournament. With their perfect start intact, Glamorgan will be looking to maintain their winning momentum in the upcoming matches.
