LEICESTERSHIRE — Centuries from Sam Northeast and Colin Ingram guided Glamorgan to a hard-fought draw against Division Two leaders Leicestershire, as the visitors batted through the final day to deny the hosts victory at Grace Road.
The match, which had been dominated by Leicestershire’s first-innings total of 574, saw Glamorgan dig deep on the final day to secure a share of the spoils. Northeast’s unbeaten 186 and Ingram’s 134 ensured Glamorgan finished on 443/5, comfortably avoiding any late scares after being set an improbable target of 499.
Northeast and Ingram’s Heroics
Sam Northeast, who resumed the day on 98, reached his century early in the morning session, marking his third Championship hundred of the season. The Glamorgan skipper batted with patience and precision, facing 334 deliveries in his marathon knock. "It was about grinding it out and making sure we didn’t give them a sniff," Northeast said after the match.
Colin Ingram, meanwhile, provided the perfect foil, scoring a fluent 134 off 227 balls. The South African-born batter punished loose deliveries, hitting 18 boundaries in his innings. The pair’s 243-run partnership for the third wicket was the cornerstone of Glamorgan’s resistance. "Colin was brilliant—he took the pressure off me and kept the scoreboard ticking," Northeast added.
Leicestershire’s Frustration
Leicestershire, who had enforced the follow-on after bowling Glamorgan out for 375 in their first innings, were left to rue missed opportunities. Despite a five-wicket haul from Chris Wright (5/83) in the first innings, the hosts struggled to break through on the final day.
- Dropped catches: Two chances went down off Northeast early in his innings.
- Lack of penetration: The pitch flattened out, offering little assistance to the bowlers.
Leicestershire captain Lewis Hill admitted his side had been outplayed on the final day: "Credit to Glamorgan—they batted superbly. We threw everything at them, but Northeast and Ingram were just too good."
Key Moments of the Match
Day 1: Leicestershire Dominate
Leicestershire piled on the runs on the opening day, with Rishi Patel (176) and Peter Handscomb (136) both scoring centuries. Their 287-run partnership set the tone for the hosts’ mammoth total.
Day 2: Glamorgan Fight Back
Glamorgan’s bowlers toiled, but Kiran Carlson’s 98 and a gritty 72 from Chris Cooke helped the visitors avoid complete embarrassment in their first innings. Wright’s five-for, however, kept Leicestershire in control.
Day 3: Follow-On Enforced
Leicestershire opted to enforce the follow-on, and Glamorgan began their second innings trailing by 199. Openers Eddie Byrom and Zain-ul-Hassan provided a solid start, but the real resistance came on the final day.
What This Means for the Table
Leicestershire remain top of Division Two, but their lead has been cut to 12 points after this draw. Glamorgan, meanwhile, move up to fourth, keeping their promotion hopes alive. "It’s a big point for us—we showed real character," said Northeast.
Conclusion: A Test of Resilience
Glamorgan’s rearguard action was a testament to their determination. Northeast and Ingram’s centuries not only salvaged a draw but also sent a message to the rest of Division Two. As for Leicestershire, they’ll need to regroup quickly, with a crucial clash against second-placed Sussex looming. "We’ll take the positives and move on," said Hill. "There’s still a long way to go in the season."