Anthony makes his mark

Glamorgan 212 and 115-2

Sussex 196

GIVEN good weather, there can not be many better places than Swansea to watch a boring day's county cricket. The sun sparkled on the Bristol Channel and white sails billowed in a light breeze. This is the only county ground with a sea view, but yesterday the spectators were not looking at the scenery.

Glamorgan lead by 131 with eight wickets standing, but these are evenly matched, hard-hitting teams. One of a number of sixes sailed clean out of the ground, but don't forget this is where Sir Gary Sobers hit his record six sixes in an over. There were two memorable performances by young cricketers - Keith Newell making his Sussex debut, and Hamesh Anthony, Glamorgan's previously anonymous overseas player - and the cricket was compelling.

A pacey pitch is wearing well, but 160 overs were lost to the weather on the first two days. The draw would be the best bet, but Glamorgan are fighting to retain the championship leadership. Tomorrow it ought to be the cricket, not the weather, that is worth a detour.

In 35 minutes play yesterday morning, Glamorgan took their score to 212, showing little respect for Ed Giddins on his way to his career-best bowling figures of six for 87. By mid-afternoon, Sussex were 71 for five, and looking flakey. They had been plunged into this crisis by Anthony, and recovered from it because of Newell.

Anthony is playing for Glamorgan because Ottis Gibson was chosen for the West Indies touring party, and he is the least known of all the overseas players in county cricket. There was uncertainty in the press box about Anthony's exact age; 24 was the best guess. He comes from Antigua, and was a protg of Viv Richards.

In his first spell, Anthony bowled short and looked less threatening than Steve Watkin, but then a ball to Bill Athey nipped in and Colin Metson took a catch off the inside edge. Two balls later, Alan Wells was forced to play a ball rising sharply off a good length and was well caught by Matthew Maynard at second slip. Two more Sussex batsmen could not resist the temptation to cut Anthony, and he ended the day with figures of four for 47.

The only imposing Sussex innings was played by a composed 23-year-old from Crawley with a neat moustache and a trim beard, playing for Sussex for the first time because of injuries to Martin Speight and Neil Lenham. Unlike the more experienced batsmen, Newell looked unhurried and when the spinner came on, he was driven elegantly through the covers. Newell's first mistake was a lofted drive when he was on 63 to Watkin at mid-on; he had batted for 173 minutes and scored eight fours.

Batting looked easier at the outset of Glamorgan's second innings. David Hemp batted with a flourish for 28, then Hugh Morris and Maynard took the score past 100 at four an over.