GLAMORGAN received a welcome injury boost in Newport when captain Michael Hogan made an impressive return to action.

The 37-year-old Australian has been sidelined by a hamstring strain suffered in the One Day Cup clash with Somerset at Taunton.

The county’s red-ball skipper left the field at the end of the hosts’ innings and then needed a runner while batting.

Hogan made his return at Spytty Park when he helped Newport retain their lead in the South Wales Premier league with a 72-run win against Bridgend.

The right-hander, who has a first class average with the bat of 15.99 and a high score of 57, was in action sooner than expected after the hosts slipped to 89-5 in testing conditions.

Hogan joined forces with Ollie Burland to take the attack to Bridgend in a 111-run partnership with Newport eventually getting to 253-8 from their allotted 50 overs.

Burland struck 75 from 66 balls while the experienced Aussie smashed 86 from 75 in a knock that featured 6 fours and 4 sixes.

Hogan then showed his more expected class with the ball to take the key wickets of Ruadhri Smith and Tom Baker to finish with figures of 2-23 off eight overs.

His fellow opening bowler Harry Powell claimed 2-28 while all-rounder Ian Thomas’ 4-31 ensured Bridgend were never a threat with the visitors bowled out for 181.

The performance of Hogan is a boost for Glamorgan, who welcome Derbyshire to St Helen's in the County Championship on Wednesday and then entertain Northamptonshire in Cardiff on June 25 before heading into the T20 Blast.