T20 Blast: Glamorgan beat Essex by seven wickets

Nick Selman made his first class debut for Glamorgan in 2016

Glamorgan strolled to a seven-wicket win over Essex in the T20 Blast thanks to a century stand between Nick Selman and Marnus Labuschagne.

They both hit fifties, adding 110 in 13.1 overs to make light of a target of 154.

Selman even out-scored his illustrious partner, who had hit 93 not out on debut three days previously.

Will Buttleman top-scored with 36 in Essex's 153 for six, but the visitors rarely cut loose.

The 21 year old, in only his second match, set a good example at the top as Essex sped to 68 for one in eight overs, but Glamorgan switched their bowling round effectively.

Ruaidhri Smith (2-13 in three), Labuschagne (1-17 in three), and Andrew Salter (2-31) all caused problems for the visitors as Kiwi star Jimmy Neesham was restricted to 21 off 20 balls.

The target set by Essex looked below-par, but David Lloyd, opening despite a blow on the hand, fell to Jack Plom for 14.

Selman found the spaces with some inventive shots, his 65 coming off just 45 balls as he and Labuschagne accelerated in style.

Essex captain Simon Harmer eventually caught and bowled Selman while Labuschagne was caught at backward point off Sam Cook, but it was too late to put the visitors back in the game.

Glamorgan have barely 24 hours between matches as they travel to face Surrey on Monday night while Essex host Sussex on Tuesday 15 June.

Glamorgan's next two home matches, against Kent and Middlesex have been brought forward to 17:00 BST starts because of continuing floodlight issues.

Glamorgan batsman Nick Selman told BBC Sport Wales:

"Marnus and I are similar players in that we don't hit over the top a great deal but we ran hard, we hit gaps. It was great to bat with someone like him, and good to get the job done, but it was a bit disappointing we weren't there at the end.

"He's a nightmare to run with and I'm no good with the twos and threes, but you've got to do it to build pressure on the fielding side and we probably got an extra six or seven runs thanks to his intensity in running.

"We weren't too far off (against Gloucestershire) but we bowled a lot better, we hit our length and then it was great to get that three-figure partnership.

"It's been a long month and a half (out of the Championship side), I only had one bat in May thanks to the weather. I know my T20 game better than my four-day game, which I can't explain, but I love playing T20 cricket and hopefully i can build on this."

Essex coach Anthony McGrath told BBC Radio Essex:

"We were probably 10-15 runs light but I thought we had a chance with that on the board, early wickets were going to be crucial and that's what we were targeting but we couldn't do that.

"You've got to give credit to those two who played really well and once they got near the 100 mark it was always going to be tough to restrict them.

"There were some good signs, we know what these young lads can do, Will Buttleman's done well in his first two games, Feroze Khushi has come in and they'll learn a lot.

"Adam Wheater picked up a side strain against Somerset, it's not too bad we don't know how long before it settles down and Ryan ten Doeschate had a bit of a back spasm, though hopefully we'll get Dan Lawrence back (from England) for Tuesday, if not then Friday."