Maynard mayhem

Glamorgan 505 and 259-3

Lancashire 478-5 dec

There are few more enjoyable sights for a cricket fan than Matthew Maynard at the top of his form. The Glamorgan captain, tried but not really tested by England, has been at that zenith for the last three days, and Lancashire were the only unwilling spectators here.

Glamorgan finished the third day of the match on 259 for three for a lead of 286, with Lancashire hoping for a declaration early tomorrow morning. Maynard destroyed the Lancashire attack, Peter Martin included, while hitting 214 in Glamorgan's first innings of 505 and when his counterpart, Michael Watkinson, declared Lancashire's reply 27 runs adrift at 478 for five, the Oldham-born batsman was again equal to the challenge.

He was not called upon for some time. Steve James and Hugh Morris put on 103 for Glamorgan's first wicket second time around before James, on 49, pushed tentatively forward to the slow left arm of Gary Keedy, was beaten by the turn, and edged the catch to Jason Gallian at slip.

Gary Butcher came and went before Morris, on 61, thrashed recklessly at Martin and was taken by Gallian, again in the slips. Maynard decided to take charge then. He took two fours and a six off one Martin over and the England man was promptly replaced, Watkinson putting himself into the firing line.

The captain fared no better. His first ball was turned to the square leg boundary and his second lofted high over long on and into the River Taff for six. Maynard reached his half century off just 48 deliveries with three sixes and six fours and there seems to be no stopping him.

Throughout the unfinished fourth-wicket partnership of 120, Maynard was superbly supported by Tony Cottey, whose fifty came off exactly 50 deliveries.

Watkinson's decision to declare was based on a fine fourth-wicket stand of 251 in 51 overs between Nick Speak and Graham Lloyd. Speak made his first century in championship cricket for two seasons and was unbeaten on 138 when Watkinson called a halt, but it was Lloyd who really caught the eye, reaching his century off just 101 balls.