1993 saw Glamorgan record twelve successive victories in the Sunday League as winning became an addictive habit. Hugh Morris’ team also overcame a disappointing start losing at Derby in the opening contest despite a haul of 6/28 from Steve Barwick, and a three-wicket defeat to Northants at Pentyrch, the village ground to the north-west of Cardiff which had been added to the Club’s schedule following a few logistical difficulties in staging one-day games at Ynysangharad Park in Pontypridd.
Indeed, the 1993 season saw the Welsh county stage their home games in the Sunday League at no less than seven home grounds, including Llanelli, Neath, Ebbw Vale and Colwyn Bay. The latter venue in mid-June saw Glamorgan emphatically continue their winning ways, defeating Durham by 166 runs. After an opening stand of 94 by James and Morris, the sun-drenched crowd were treated to two wonderful cameos as Maynard hit 79 off 66 balls, which included four audacious sixes, whilst Richards struck an unbeaten 49 from 30 balls, including one massive six himself, high into the row of houses adjoining the Rhos-on-Sea ground.
Glamorgan ended their 50 overs on 271-6, and if the visitors were going to win, much depended on their big guns at the top of the order – the legendary Ian Botham and former England batsmen Wayne Larkins and Paul Parker. But as so often in 1993, Lefebvre and Steve Watkin made early incisions as Durham slipped to 36-2 with Larkins and Parker back in the pavilion. Dale`s clever medium-pace bowling then took centre-stage, as the all-rounder took 6/10 in 29 balls, including a hat-trick.
His remarkable spell began with the dismissal of Botham, thanks to a fine stumping by Metson, before Dale dismissed Stewart Hutton, John Glendenen and Anderson Cummins in successive balls. When Dale`s ten-over spell ended, Durham had been reduced to 57-8, and despite a few late blows from Phil Bainbridge and David Graveney, Glamorgan recorded what at the time was their largest ever win in the competition as Dale deservedly led the team off the field with career-best figures of 6/22.
Opposite – Adrian Dale. Photo Credit – Glamorgan Cricket Archives.
A fortnight later it was Dale the batsman was the toast of the Glamorgan supporters as the all-rounder shared in a record-breaking partnership of 425 with Richards for the fourth wicket against Middlesex at Cardiff. Click here to read more about their remarkable performance. Three weeks later Dale’s batting also saw Glamorgan to a dramatic and one-wicket victory against Worcestershire at New Road. Click here to read more about this dramatic game.
Click here to read more about the 1993 season.