Croft rolls back the years

Robert Croft took five wickets for just six runs as Glamorgan thrashed Essex © Getty Images

Former England off-spinner Robert Croft produced a classic spell as Glamorgan beat Essex by 202 runs to record their second victory of the season in Division Two of the LV County Championship.

The 38-year-old returned the amazing figures of five wickets for six runs in 8.1 overs, which included a spell of 5-2 in 24 balls, as Essex were bowled out for 78 at Southend.

It was the first time this summer that the veteran had claimed five wickets in a championship innings and it represented the 48th occasion that he had achieved the milestone in all first-class cricket.

Croft was introduced into the attack with the home side already deep in trouble at 50 for five, in pursuit of 281 runs for victory.

And although he did not take a wicket until his fifth over, he soon brought about the terminal demise of the spiritless home side.

His first victim was James Foster who was caught at short square leg for 11, and with his next ball he had new batsman Graham Napier snapped up at leg slip.

Two overs later Croft found the edge as Tim Phillips played tentatively forward and was caught by Michael Powell at first slip, to leave Essex in tatters at 59 for eight.

That became 61 for nine when Croft had David Masters caught at short mid-wicket, and although Chris Wright bludgeoned three fours from a Dean Cosker over which produced 17 runs, Croft had the final say when he had the former Middlesex player caught at short mid-wicket for 14.

The initial damage had been caused by the pace attack, with James Harris removing both openers with only 15 runs on the board before Grant Flower gloved a delivery from Adam Shantry to wicketkeeper Mark Wallace.

Then Jason Gillespie captured the prize wicket of Ravi Bopara who was bowled for 15, which proved the top score in the Essex innings.

Mark Pettini paid the price for a suicidal quick single and was left stranded by the throw from Jamie Dalrymple at cover, and Croft was then summoned to apply the finishing touch.

Earlier, Napier had returned career-best figures of six for 103 as Glamorgan added a further 95 runs to their overnight total, reaching 347 all out.

Wallace completed a 105-ball half-century which included eight fours and a six before he was caught at deep square leg off Masters for 52.

Gillespie contributed 33 which included five boundaries, before he became Napier’s fifth victim, and Shantry was the sixth.

Victory for Glamorgan, who took 17 points, was their first in three months, while for home side Essex a fourth defeat in 10 matches dented their promotion hopes.