Glamorgan Secures Victory Over Essex with Morris' Breakthrough Performance

Glamorgan maintained their perfect record in this season's Metro Bank One-Day Cup, defeating Essex by 32 runs at Chelmsford, thanks to a standout performance from Ben Morris.

Making his third appearance, the 20-year-old seamer took his first List A wickets, finishing with figures of 3 for 52. Morris complemented the experienced Jamie McIlroy, who also shone with a career-best 3 for 33, as Essex struggled to reach their target.

Essex's batting woes were highlighted by a late stand of 68 for the last wicket between Ben Allison (26) and Aaron Beard (42 not out), which nearly salvaged their innings. However, they fell short, chasing 284 set by Glamorgan.

Sam Northeast was pivotal in Glamorgan's innings, scoring a solid 89 off 93 balls. He was supported by significant partnerships of 74 and 71 with Billy Root and Asa Tribe, respectively. Northeast's dismissal, after two hours and 15 minutes, was part of Essex wicketkeeper Simon Fernandes' impressive involvement in seven dismissals, including five catches and two run-outs. Shane Snater and Jamal Richards were the standout bowlers for Essex, taking 3 for 46 and 3 for 68, respectively, as Glamorgan posted 283.

Essex chose to bowl on a green-tinged wicket that offered early bounce and carry. Snater utilised the conditions effectively, dismissing Eddie Byrom with a delivery that zipped through during a sequence of 12 scoreless balls.

Glamorgan captain Kiran Carlson, in partnership with Will Smale, added 54 runs before falling to Richards. Smale, who hit seven fours in an elegant 43, was later trapped lbw by Richards.

Northeast and Root stabilised the innings with a 74-run partnership spanning 16 overs until a miscommunication led to Root's run-out. Tribe then added 71 runs with Northeast before edging behind Ben Allison. Snater's second wicket came when Tom Bevan was caught by Fernandes.

Douthwaite's aggressive 24-run over off Richards included two sixes but initiated a collapse of four wickets for 17 runs in 22 balls. Northeast was caught behind Allison, Gorvin attempted a ramp shot off Snater and was caught by Fernandes, and Douthwaite was run out by Fernandes.

Essex, without the injured Charlie Allison, faced early trouble. Glamorgan's bowlers delivered four maidens in the first nine overs, dismissing Feroze Khushi, Nick Browne, and Robin Das. Khushi edged to third man against Douthwaite, Browne was caught at mid-on off McIlroy, and Das skied a catch to wicketkeeper Smale.

Essex briefly recovered with a partnership between Benkenstein and Westley. Benkenstein's aggressive 39 off 41 balls included six fours, but he misjudged a delivery from Gorvin. Noah Thain then holed out against Morris.

Morris struck again after Westley had pulled him for four to reach his half-century, dismissing Fernandes with a delivery that bowled him. Essex's fight ended as they fell short by 32 runs, handing Glamorgan another victory in the competition.