Glamorgan 390 for 8 (Labuschagne 93, Carlson 71, Cooke 58) lead Northamptonshire 279 by 111 runs
Marnus Labuschagne led the charge with a top score of 93, placing Glamorgan firmly in control of their Vitality Championship match against Northamptonshire in Cardiff. By the close of play, Glamorgan had reached 390 for 8, establishing a lead of 111 runs over Northamptonshire's first-innings total.
Kiran Carlson contributed 71, and Chris Cooke added 58, as Glamorgan built a potentially decisive lead. Despite Northamptonshire missing a few opportunities and having some close lbw appeals turned down, Glamorgan maintained dominance throughout most of the day. Luke Procter was the pick of the bowlers for the visitors, claiming 3 for 36.
With two first-innings wickets remaining, Glamorgan will aim to extend their lead further when play resumes, hoping to secure their second Championship win of the season.
Starting day two at 36 without loss, Billy Root and Eddie Byrom effectively neutralised the remaining new-ball threat with a partnership of 63. The introduction of left-arm spinner Liam Patterson-White brought the first breakthrough when Byrom edged to Privthi Shaw at first slip.
Root was then trapped lbw by Justin Broad, leaving Glamorgan at 85 for 2. Labuschagne and Carlson responded with a superb 140-run partnership, bringing Glamorgan close to Northamptonshire's first-innings score.
Throughout their partnership, Labuschagne and Carlson kept the scoreboard ticking and ran well between the wickets, scoring at a brisk rate of 4.5 runs per over. Labuschagne seemed set for his 10th century for Glamorgan, but he was trapped in front by a Broad inswinger.
Sam Northeast started positively with a boundary but was caught behind off Procter three balls later. When Carlson departed, Glamorgan had lost three wickets for 42 runs, risking the solid platform they had built. With a relatively weak lower order, they needed contributions from the tail to take the lead. Promoted to number seven, Timm van der Gugten and Cooke added 68 runs, propelling Glamorgan into the lead. Van der Gugten played aggressively, scoring 41 off 63 balls, before edging to keeper McManus off Procter's bowling.
At van der Gugten's dismissal, Glamorgan led by 56 runs—a useful but not yet decisive margin. Cooke further solidified their position with a patient 120-ball fifty, supported by James Harris.
Although Cooke fell late in the day, Harris and Mason Crane saw Glamorgan to stumps with their lead extending past 100 runs. While Cardiff pitches often flatten out as matches progress, Glamorgan's substantial lead puts them in a strong position to push for victory.