THE RETURN of County Championship cricket to Newport will last the full four days thanks to a second-innings fightback led by Nick Selman and Marnus Labuschagne, raising the possibility of an appearance by one of the city's sporting heroes.

Glamorgan ended day three on 356 for one, a lead of 143, after being asked to follow on by Gloucestershire.

Selman, who played for Newport in the Premier League in 2017 and 2018, laid the foundations with his opening partnership with Charlie Hemphrey, who made a half-century. Selman reached his century from 208 balls, with 10 fours, and ended unbeaten on 148.

He made it to three figures after Labuschagne, who reached a rapid ton off just 112 balls and will resume on 128.

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Their toil, admittedly on a super wicket, will have come as a relief to those at Spytty Park who have worked so hard to be awarded the Division Two fixture, ending a 54-year wait for Championship cricket in the city.

And by avoiding a day-three capitulation, Glamorgan could lead to an appearance by Newport County boss Michael Flynn.

The Exiles' Friday training session ahead of next weekend's League Two play-off final against Tranmere is at Newport International Sports Village, a Jos Buttler strike away.

If time allows – and there isn't a sudden end to the cricket – then it is hoped that Flynn or someone from the County camp will be able to nip over to ring the bell to signal the return to the field at the end of either lunch or tea.

Glamorgan's fightback might not quite match County's Great Escape but it was certainly a superb effort after their day two struggles, when wickets tumbled and captain Chris Cooke was helped off after suffering an ankle injury turning for a second run.

His absence meant that the hosts were down to their last wicket when Graham Wagg and Timm van der Gugten resumed on 241 for eight.

Wagg brought up a fine half-century from 90 balls, featuring a quartet of fours and a six, but was out next ball when he was caught at short third man off George Drissell's spin.

Glamorgan were all out for 250 and followed on with a deficit of 213 but fared much better second time around.

Selman and Hemphrey made it through to lunch with 80 on the scoreboard and took their partnership to 133 before Gloucestershire struck.

Hemphrey fell for 58, caught behind off seamer Matt Taylor, to bring Australian Test batsman Labuschagne to the middle.

Glammy kept building, albeit with some perilous running between the wickets at times, with Selman cautious and Labuschagne rattling along.

The opener was overtaken, with the Australia international first to reach his century off 112 balls, featuring 13 fours and a pair of maximums.

He was followed by Selman three overs later and the duo dominated; Gloucester heads dropped and the two batsman played some glorious drives to ensure that there will be plenty of Friday action.