TABLE-topping Worcestershire overcame a rousing last wicket partnership between Robert Croft and David Harrison to clinch a 14-run win over Glamorgan at sun-scorched New Road yesterday.
The visiting duo put on a splendid 56 before their battling side were all out for 324 in pursuit of a challenging victory target of 339.
The final day of a highly entertaining match began with Glamorgan still needing a further 165 to become the first side to beat the County in the Championship this season.
The first major turning point came, however, when overnight batsmen Jimmy Maher and Mark Wallace were removed in successive overs.
Maher, unbeaten on 84, and Wallace, with 32, seemed in control until skipper Ben Smith's men made their first crucial breakthrough.
It arrived when Wallace pushed forward to off-spinner Gareth Batty and was bowled for 55, which included seven fours off 117 balls.
His dismissal was a big relief to Kabir Ali who had dropped Wallace off Matt Mason when he was on 54.
Wallace put on 91 in 35 overs with Maher who fell in the next over when he was snapped up at second slip by Graeme Hick after pushing forward to Mason.
The Aussie opener stroked 95 which included 13 fours off 195 deliveries.
The dramatic double breakthrough put the County back in control before they turned up the pressure when Darren Thomas played half forward to Batty and was trapped leg before for 10.
Glamorgan, however, were never in the mood to let Worcestershire have it all their own way with Croft and Alex Wharf adding 33.
The determined partnership was eventually broken off the last ball before lunch when Wharf was out lbw to David Leatherdale for 13.
It left Glamorgan on 262-8 and on course for their fourth defeat of the season.
Michael Kasprowicz was ousted for a 'duck' by Kabir in the second over after the interval before Worcestershire had to plug away to end what became a worrying last wicket partnership between Croft and Harrison.
Kabir, however, finally ended the steadily mounting tension when he had Harrison caught at backward point by Batty for 27.
It gave Kabir figures of 4-96 and left Croft unbeaten on a gallant 51 not out which contained six fours off 75 balls.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article