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Cosgrove displays glimpse of class
May 24 2006
By Brian Dick At New Road
First day: Glamorgan have scored 133 for three in their first innings
On a day that was supposed to be about Worcestershire's upwardly mobile Australian international, Phil Jaques, it was his compatriot and rival for a place in the world champions' one day side who stole the show.
Three days after smashing his new team to a thrilling victory over Surrey, Jaques was making his home debut at New Road against Division Two strugglers Glamorgan but found his role reduced by the weather and the dynamism of Mark Cosgrove.
In truth the rain was the most influential factor on the first day of this Liverpool Victoria County Championship match but when it did relent and afforded the opportunity of 44 overs, it was the visitors' corpulent left-hander who left his mark on proceedings.
The 21-year-old, who made 74 in his first appearance for his country in last month's thrashing of Bangladesh, showed just as much appetite for Worcestershire bowling as he clattered 11 fours and a six in a dashing innings of 61.
Together with Dan Cherry he put on 102 for the first wicket, the county's first century opening stand since last July, before the hosts mounted something of a fight back.
Cosgrove demonstrated a particular liking for the bowling of Nadeem Malik and hit the seamer to the boundary on several occasions, most notably a six that cleared the seating behind midwicket.
He was eventually cut short by Zaheer Khan who tempted him into a defensive nudge outside off-stump and had him caught behind by Steve Davies.
That was Zaheer's 20th wicket in just over two matches at New Road, and his 22nd in all. His 23rd soon followed when he beat Mike Powell for pace and also had him taken by Davies for just four.
That reduced Glamorgan to 109 for three and meant honours were just about even. Kabir Ali had taken the only other wicket to fall when he yorked Cherry for 33.
