Croft century inspires Glamorgan to victory

Robert Croft cracked a maiden one-day century as Glamorgan showed their Norwich Union League Division Two champions credentials by beating Middlesex by 41 runs at Cardiff.

The England off spinner's sparkling 100 came off 105 balls with a six and 10 fours out of Glamorgan's challenging total of 272-4.

And it was Croft who chipped in with two wickets as Middlesex could only manage 231-8 in their 45 overs.

As well as Glamorgan receiving the Division Two trophy it was supposed to be the day that the county also said goodbye to the retiring Steve Watkin after 16 seasons at Sophia Gardens.

But although Watkin led the Glamorgan players on to the pitch at the start of the Middlesex reply and got a standing ovation before he bowled the final over of the match, Croft rather stole his thunder.

Without Angus Fraser in their attack Middlesex failed to contain the Division Two title winners. The mainstay of Glamorgan's innings was a partnership of 189 in 29 overs between Croft and Steve James, who perished seven short of three figures.

Croft had scored 92 against Essex in a day-night clash last month and was determined to score a 100 although he was put down in the deep on 74 by Ed Joyce.

But he had to wait until the final over of the innings to seal his 100 and then celebrated by hitting Paul Weekes for two straight sixes.

Apart from the presentation of the trophy at the end of the game the match was largely irrelevant, as Glamorgan had been confirmed champions last weekend when Worcestershire lost to Durham.