Brilliant performances by Mason Crane and Tom Norton put hosts Glamorgan in charge against Surrey on Day 2 at Sophia Gardens.
Crane scored a gritty maiden century, the second of the innings after Chris Cooke’s on day one, to total 358 in a remarkable recovery from 79 for 6. The 29-year-old, who hadn’t scored a half-century before joining Glamorgan two years ago, made up for falling for 99 against Leicestershire earlier this season. Teenager Tom Norton then continued his eye-catching start to the season with a maiden five-wicket haul in just his fourth first-class appearance.
Norton removed Sam Curran, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope and Dom Sibley in an incredible first spell to send him on his way to figures of 5 for 50 with Surrey all out for 105 in just 34.4 overs before being forced to bat again on day two, ending play on 82 for 2 after some resistance shown from the openers following on.
Gus Atkinson continued where he left off from the opening day to end with 4 for 61, his two wickets on day two included centurion Cooke without adding to his score with the second new ball and then Colin Ingram for 80 – after returning from retiring hurt – for the final wicket to wrap up the innings.
Resuming 244 for 6, Cooke was unable to add to his overnight score and a dangerous new ball effect added concern for Glamorgan’s possibility of adding batting bonus points but Ingram walking back out after taking a blow to his hand in his first attempt at batting. Returning on 23 not out, Ingram offered assurance with Crane.
When Crane had made 99 against Leicestershire, he was forced to attempt an uncharacteristic wild swipe on the final delivery of an Ajaz Patel over despite battling for over 200 deliveries; falling agonisingly short was less likely to happen with comforting support of a veteran batter for company.
Norton’s opening spell mirrored that of Surrey’s the previous morning. Adam Thomas and Ryan Patel dug in for a period before Thomas completed Norton’s five-for, a bouncer rushing the fellow youngster, leaving a simple catch for Cooke.
Crane couldn’t stay out of the game. He wrapped up the final two wickets in two balls, and Surrey were soon back out, 253 behind.
The visitors began their second innings with a 50-run partnership as Rory Burns and Dom Sibley settled. Soon after, Ben Kellaway had Sibley caught at slip and one final burst from Norton brought him a sixth in the game, Kiran Carlson with a smart catch to remove nightwatcher Abbott.
Just about the only thing that didn’t go Norton’s way was nicking off second nightwatcher Rahul Chahar at 7:09pm in the 104-over day, only to be flagged for overstepping.
