Kiran Carlson and Sean Dickson both fell victim to the nervous 90s but their efforts were enough to give Glamorgan a positive start to their first Rothesay County Championship Division One clash with Leicestershire since 2001.

The hosts finished on 334 for 7 thanks to a 126-run fifth-wicket partnership after an early wobble. Dickson, given the opportunity due to Ben Kellaway being ruled out with a hip injury sustained against Nottinghamshire, took advantage in particular alongside his captain.

Ian Holland and Josh Hull picked up two wickets apiece as Glamorgan slipped to 91 for 4, while Ajaz Patel bowled 30 overs on the opening day in the absence of Rehan Ahmed, who has joined up with Delhi Capitals in the IPL. But Glamorgan’s 69-run unbeaten partnership for the eighth wicket ensured they will come back with an opportunity to build on a strong start.

Glamorgan won the toss and decided to make first use at Sophia Gardens, seemingly with the view for Mason Crane affect the game in the fourth innings – a story already told in the season opener at this ground, a tight draw with Yorkshire.

Holland took no time in getting the first wicket on the board, pushing one across Eddie Byrom to draw the edge on the Leicestershire skipper’s third ball. The American international’s opening spell was typically Holland-esque. His dominance of the Glamorgan top order, returning 2 for 7 from 12 overs, was a near carbon copy of this fixture at the start to the Division Two season last year, when he dismissed three of the Glamorgan top five in the first session on day one.

After Zain-ul-Hassan also nibbled behind, Carlson rebuilt from 23 for 2, helped by starts from Asa Tribe and Colin Ingram. Both offered brief stability before Hull’s extra pace, combined with a couple of loose shots, had Glamorgan four down by lunch.

Dickson marked his territory at No. 6 in Kellaway’s absence. He looked the fluent batter remembered for his white-ball prowess in his last two seasons at Somerset.

In their century partnership, Carlson and Dickson both had spells of dominating bowlers – two fours in three balls off Ben Green followed by cutting Hull for two fours the following over was typical of Carlson at the crease. Dickson also enjoyed three consecutive boundaries, showing touch and power off Josh Davey, pushing the partnership past 50 in the process.

Despite Glamorgan’s decision at the toss, Leicestershire were never out the game. Carlson’s untimely dismissal saw him pick out backward short leg as he charged down the wicket, the return throw leaving him short of his ground. Dickson motored to his best first-class score since May 2022 when he scored twin centuries for Durham before fiddling at one outside off stump from Green.

Patel attempted to hold an end up with a 14-over spell in the afternoon session but struggled to offer much control against the imposing Carlson and Dickson. The New Zealander’s 1 for 111 still showed signs of promise for both sides’ spin options.

Crane, Glamorgan’s sole frontline spinner due to Kellaway’s injury, had plenty of time to assess the pitch, contributing 48 not out with the bat in a faultless partnership with Timm van der Gugten to swing momentum in Glamorgan’s favour.