Chris Cooke hopeful of Glamorgan recovery against Leicestershire

Chris Cooke's 84 for Glamorgan was his highest score of the season

Chris Cooke hopes Glamorgan can still gain a first-innings lead over Leicestershire despite being bowled out for a relatively modest 278 in Cardiff.

The batsman made his season's best score of 84 while Graham Wagg added 94 to his maiden double-hundred against Surrey, striking six sixes.

"I think the day was pretty much in the balance," Cooke told BBC Wales Sport

"It wasn't easy batting early on but it got a bit easier as the ball got older."

In reply, Leicestershire ended day one of the Championship match in Cardiff on 37-1.

"We've played some good counter-attacking cricket this season and that worked again today as Waggy played brilliantly," said Cooke, whose previous season's best was 81 - also against Leicestershire.

"I'm pleased [with my innings], a hundred would have been nice but it's always nice to get runs in the cause for the team and we needed them there."

Australian Clint McKay led the visitors' seam attack well, taking three wickets, before Wagg and Andy Carter added 78 for the last wicket.

Cooke praised Wagg's remarkable effort in shielding number 11 Carter during their partnership.

"He's batting brilliantly at the moment and we seem to be scoring runs down the bottom, while Carts was fantastic to stick with him and hit a couple of lovely shots of his own," Cooke said.

"They knew what they were doing and the crowd were enjoying it."

Cooke is now hopeful that Glamorgan's bowlers can earn their side the advantage on day two.

"Hopefully we can knock them over now as we feel the wicket's only going to get worse, I think the best time to bat on it will be sooner rather than later," Cooke added.

"We would have liked to have taken two or three wickets but we've got a newish ball, we can come back with hopefully a bit of moisture around and have them 50 for five."

The clash at the SSE Swalec Stadium is the second meeting of the two sides after a high-scoring draw at Grace Road in April.