Author: 'farmer white'

A match turned on its head – Somerset v Nottinghamshire – County Championship 2023 – 25th, 26th and 27th June – Taunton – Second day

'farmer white'

County Championship 2023. Division 1. Somerset v Nottinghamshire. 25th,26th and 27th June. Taunton.

Somerset. T.A. Lammonby, S.R. Dickson, T.B. Abell (c), G.A. Bartlett, T. Kohler-Cadmore, J.E.K. Rew (w), K.L. Aldridge, C. Overton, J.H. Davey, M.J. Henry, S. Bashir.

Nottinghamshire. B.T. Slater, H. Hameed, M. Montgomery, J.M. Clarke, L.W. James, S.J. Mullaney (c), T.J. Moores (w), M. Carter, B.A. Hutton, J.T. Ball, D. Paterson.

Overnight. Somerset 163. Nottinghamshire 145 for 4. Nottinghamshire trail by 18 runs with six first innings wickets standing.

Second day 26th June – A match turned on its head

Somerset began the second day already facing the possibility of defeat. They ended it in a position from which they might force victory. A morning of sustained, attacking Somerset bowling was followed by an afternoon and evening of sustained Somerset innings building. The cricket was accompanied by a good crowd, large by post-pandemic standards and larger than the first-day Sunday crowd. It was a crowd which engaged with the play, willed, and in the morning and at the end of the day cheered its side on. It was a day of virtually unremitting Somerset joy. By the end of the day, Nottinghamshire, rampant on the first day, looked ragged. That may change after a night’s rest but at the very least they now have a fight on their hands.

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All out before tea – Somerset v Nottinghamshire – County Championship 2023 – 25th,26th and 27th June – Taunton.

'farmer white'

County Championship 2023. Division 1. Somerset v Nottinghamshire. 25th,26th, 27th and 28th June. Taunton.

Somerset. T.A. Lammonby, S.R. Dickson, T.B. Abell (c), G.A. Bartlett, T. Kohler-Cadmore, J.E.K. Rew (w), K.L. Aldridge, C. Overton, J.H. Davey, M.J. Henry, S. Bashir.

Nottinghamshire. B.T. Slater, H. Hameed, M. Montgomery, J.M. Clarke, L.W. James, S.J. Mullaney (c), T.J. Moores (w), M. Carter, B.A. Hutton, J.T. Ball, D. Paterson.

Toss. Somerset. Elected to bat.

First day 25th June – All out before tea

As at Chelmsford two weeks before, this match began with a one-minute silence for the three people murdered in a terrorist act in Nottingham while the Chelmsford match was in progress. Two weeks on, the silence was as intense as the Essex one had been the day after the event. Two of the victims were students, one with connections to Somerset CCC and one with previous connections to Essex CCC.

It was another very hot start to a day of cricket, and the stands were drenched in sunshine. The crowd was concentrated in the Trescothick Pavilion and the Lord Ian Botham Stand, the only covered sections of seating in the ground. Despite the summer heat of the weeks before, unlike the desert-like appearance of Chelmsford, the Taunton outfield, apart from a patch in front of the Colin Atkinson Pavilion, seemed an oasis of green. There was a tinge of green in the pitch too which had made it an ‘interesting’ toss to win, and it soon became apparent that the ball was moving off the pitch. There was an upbeat atmosphere, perhaps lifted by the exceptional win over Gloucestershire in the T20 encounter on the Friday before when, after an astonishing innings from Will Smeed of 78 from 42 balls, Ben Green and Kasey Aldridge had virtually taken Somerset home with a sixth wicket partnership of 48 in five overs before Craig Overton had put the match beyond doubt.

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A day of inevitability – Essex v Somerset – County Championship 2023 – 11th,12th, 14th and 15th June – Chelmsford

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County Championship 2023. Essex v Somerset. 11th,12th, 14th and 15th June. Chelmsford.

Essex. N.L.J. Browne, Sir A.N. Cook, T. Westley (c), P.I. Walter, M.J.J. Critchley, B.M.J. Allison, F.I.N. Khushi, S.R. Harmer, W.E.L. Buttleman (w), S.J. Cook, J.A. Porter.

Somerset. S.R. Dickson, T.A. Lammonby, T.B. Abell (c), G.A. Bartlett, T. Kohler-Cadmore, J.E.K. Rew (w), K.L. Aldridge, C. Overton, M.J. Henry, J.H. Davey, S. Bashir.

Overnight. Essex 462 and 170 for 7 dec. Somerset 167 and 172 for 4. Somerset need 294 more runs to win with six second innings wickets standing.

Final day 13th June – A day of inevitability

The day began with the crowd standing motionless and silent for one minute. The teams and support staff stood in formal lines in front of the Pavilion. The silence, which was total, was in remembrance of three people murdered in Nottingham in an act of terrorism the previous day. Two were students, one with connections to Somerset CCC and one with previous connections with Essex CCC. It had been a chilling incident and people were visibly moved. The team flags remained at half-mast throughout the day to honour those who had died.

The silence had come while I was in mid walk to my seat and I stood where I was when it was called, behind the Tom Pearce Stand. As I completed my walk, Tom Abell turned Simon Harmer, who had opened the bowling from the River End, behind square for four. It began a partnership with James Rew who had replaced Tom Kohler-Cadmore, after what became the final ball of the pervious day. Both Rew and Abell are capable of batting defensively for long periods and it looked as if they were trying to settle in for the long haul, although, if a ball was there to be hit, it went to the boundary.

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You never know – Essex v Somerset – County Championship 2023 – 11th,12th, 14th and 15th June – Chelmsford – Third day

'farmer white'

County Championship 2023. Division 1. Essex v Somerset. 11th,12th, 14th and 15th June. Chelmsford.

Essex. N.L.J. Browne, Sir A.N. Cook, T. Westley (c), P.I. Walter, M.J.J. Critchley, B.M.J. Allison, F.I.N. Khushi, S.R. Harmer, W.E.L. Buttleman (w), S.J. Cook, J.A. Porter.

Somerset. S.R. Dickson, T.A. Lammonby, T.B. Abell (c), G.A. Bartlett, T. Kohler-Cadmore, J.E.K. Rew (w), K.L. Aldridge, C. Overton, M.J. Henry, J.H. Davey, S. Bashir.

Overnight. Essex 462 and 15 for 1. Somerset 167. Essex lead by 310 runs with nine second innings wickets standing.

Third day 13th June – “You never know”

The third day of this match provided an example of how cricket supporters of opposing sides can both view the same proceedings with hope on one side and trepidation on the other when the state of the match suggests the feelings of each should be the reverse. Support for county cricket teams is so much a part of many supporters’ being that during matches rationality can give way to emotion as a match unfolds. I returned to the Felsted Stand, shade and the familiarity of three decades of sitting there to watch Essex play Somerset during my extended eastern exile overriding all other considerations. Familiarity of surroundings is another aspect of County Championship attendance. A high proportion of County Championship watchers can be found, day after day, sitting in the same seats they have for years, and with the same friends.

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Essex consolidate their advantage – Essex v Somerset – County Championship 2023 – 11th,12th, 14th and 15th June – Chelmsford

'farmer white'

County Championship 2023. Division 1. Essex v Somerset. 11th,12th, 14th and 15th June. Chelmsford.

Essex. N.L.J. Browne, Sir A.N. Cook, T. Westley (c), P.I. Walter, M.J.J. Critchley, B.M.J. Allison, F.I.N. Khushi, S.R. Harmer, W.E.L. Buttleman (w), S.J. Cook, J.A. Porter.

Somerset. S.R. Dickson, T.A. Lammonby, T.B. Abell (c), G.A. Bartlett, T. Kohler-Cadmore, J.E.K. Rew (w), K.L. Aldridge, C. Overton, M.J. Henry, J.H. Davey, S. Bashir.

Overnight. Essex 360 for 4.

Second day 12th June – Essex consolidate their advantage

There was a spectacular start for Somerset, and it was a much more even day between the sides than the first, but those 360 first day runs hung over Somerset all day. As I made my way towards the Felsted Stand, Craig Overton ran in from the Hayes Close End to bowl the third ball of the morning to the nightwatch, Ben Allison. Allison, cramped by the ball, tried to push forward, but the ball uprooted the off stump. Is there a greater sight on a cricket ground than a stump being uprooted by a quick bowler with fire in his stride? Essex 361 for 5. Allison 4.

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William Edward ‘Bill’ Alley – Somerset CCC 1957-1968 – in the style of ‘Vanity Fair’ (published 1868-1914)

'farmer white'

William Edward ‘Bill’ Alley was an all rounder who played 350 first-class matches for Somerset between 1957 and 1968 (at the age of 49). He was a true legend of Somerset cricket. He was the last player to score over 3,000 first-class runs in a season (in 1961). The article below is written as it might have been in 1961 in the style of charicature articles written of London society individuals in the magazine ‘Vanity Fair’ which was published between 1868 and 1914 .

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‘Bertie’ Buse – Somerset CCC 1929-1953 – in the style of ‘Vanity Fair’ (published 1868-1914)

'farmer white'

HFT ‘Bertie’ Buse was an all rounder who played 304 first-class matches for Somerset between 1929 and 1953. He notoriously selected the Championship match against Lancashire at Bath for his benefit in 1953. The pitch took vicious spin from the start and the match was completed in a single day. John Arlott described his bowling run up as being like a butler bringing in the tea. The article below is written as it might have been in 1953 in the style of charicature articles written of London society individuals in the magazine ‘Vanity Fair’ which was published between 1868 and 1914 .

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Cook and Critchley put Essex in control – Essex v Somerset – County Championship 2023 – 11th,12th, 14th and 15th June – Chelmsford

'farmer white'

County Championship 2023. Division 1. Essex v Somerset. 11th,12th, 14th and 15th June. Chelmsford.

Essex. N.L.J. Browne, Sir A.N. Cook, T. Westley (c), P.I. Walter, M.J.J. Critchley, B.M.J. Allison, F.I.N. Khushi, S.R. Harmer, W.E.L. Buttleman (w), S.J. Cook, J.A. Porter.

Somerset. S.R. Dickson, T.A. Lammonby, T.B. Abell (c), G.A. Bartlett, T. Kohler-Cadmore, J.E.K. Rew (w), K.L. Aldridge, C. Overton, M.J. Henry, J.H. Davey, S. Bashir.

Toss. Essex. Elected to bat.

First day 11th June – Cook and Critchley put Essex in control

Somerset had not won the toss in a Championship match at Chelmsford since 2004 when both teams were in the Second Division. They have not won a Championship match at Chelmsford since 2007. As a result of that victory, they were promoted to the First Division. It was in the days of my eastern exile, and I had chosen it as my one Championship match of the season. Since 2004 the two sides have met in the Championship at Chelmsford on five occasions. Tom Abell had no more luck with the toss than either he or his predecessors had done. With Alistair Cook’s runs and Simon Harmer’s wickets on their side and their record of victories at Chelmsford batting first, against any side, it came as no surprise to arrive to find Essex had elected to bat first on a hot, sunny morning. Neither did it come as a surprise to find the pitch and outfield looking like a dying desert. In fact, the pitch, from ground level, looked like it had been bleached. Full of runs to start, with turn later, was my immediate thought. I know little of pitches, but that is always my reaction to a white one at Chelmsford.  

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Working to rule – Lancashire v Somerset – County Championship 2023 – 11th,12th, 13th and 14th May – Old Trafford – Final day

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County Championship 2023. Division 1. Lancashire v Somerset. 11th,12th, 13th and 14th May. Old Trafford.

Lancashire. L.W.P. Wells, G.P. Balderson, J.J. Bohannon, S.J. Croft, D.J. Vilas (c), D.J. Mitchell, G.J. Bell (w), T.W. Hartley, W.S.A Williams, S. Mahmood, J.M. Anderson.

Somerset. T.A. Lammonby, S.M. Davies, T.B. Abell (c), G.A. Bartlett, T. Kohler-Cadmore, J.E.K. Rew (w), K.L. Aldridge, C. Overton, M.J. Henry, J.H. Davey, M.J. Leach.

Overnight. Somerset 361 and 114 for 3. Lancashire 326. Somerset lead by 149 runs with seven second innings wickets in hand.

Final day 14th May – Working to rule

This was a match that never really got going. Only half a day’s play was possible on the first day in the dingiest of conditions, and that was played at barely two runs an over. On a pitch which was of little assistance to bowlers and on which, for the most part, batters proceeded at three runs an over it left little time to force a result. There were occasional flourishes from one batter or another, Matt Henry’s fifty in particular, and some outstanding bowling from James Anderson, Craig Overton and Henry, but a match played at three runs an over was always going to struggle in the time available on a docile pitch after the first day rain.

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A match unfolding at a snail’s pace – Lancashire v Somerset – County Championship 2023 – 11th,12th, 13th and 14th May. Old Trafford.

'farmer white'

County Championship 2023. Division 1. Lancashire v Somerset. 11th,12th, 13th and 14th May. Old Trafford.

Lancashire. L.W.P. Wells, G.P. Balderson, J.J. Bohannon, S.J. Croft, D.J. Vilas (c), D.J. Mitchell, G.J. Bell (w), T.W. Hartley, W.S.A Williams, S. Mahmood, J.M. Anderson.

Somerset. T.A. Lammonby, S.M. Davies, T.B. Abell (c), G.A. Bartlett, T. Kohler-Cadmore, J.E.K. Rew (w), K.L. Aldridge, C. Overton, M.J. Henry, J.H. Davey, M.J. Leach.

Overnight. Somerset 361. Lancashire 72 for 2. Lancashire trail by 289 runs with eight first innings wickets standing.

Third day 13th May – A match unfolding at a snail’s pace

I arrived on time and, ever wary of rain at a cricket match, was in my seat beneath The Point for the first ball of the day. It was just as well. Bowled by Craig Overton from the Anderson End, it ended Will Williams’ stint as nightwatch. The ball flew off a defensive edge, Steven Davies took off to his right and took the ball just above the ground. It was an excellent catch taken without fuss and before the sleep was out of most cricket watchers’ eyes. It was as if it was the easiest thing in the world to do, which is what those catches usually look like when Davies takes them. Lancashire 72 for 3. Williams nought.

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Matt Henry – a bundle of fire unleashed – Lancashire v Somerset – County Championship 2023 – 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th May – Old Trafford.

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County Championship 2023. Division 1. Lancashire v Somerset. 11th,12th, 13th and 14th May. Old Trafford.

Lancashire. L.W.P. Wells, G.P. Balderson, J.J. Bohannon, S.J. Croft, D.J. Vilas (c), D.J. Mitchell, G.J. Bell (w), T.W. Hartley, W.S.A Williams, S. Mahmood, J.M. Anderson.

Somerset. T.A. Lammonby, S.M. Davies, T.B. Abell (c), G.A. Bartlett, T. Kohler-Cadmore, J.E.K. Rew (w), K.L. Aldridge, C. Overton, M.J. Henry, J.H. Davey, M.J. Leach.

Overnight. Somerset 109 for 4.

Second day 12th May – Matt Henry – a bundle of fire unleashed

It was another day of, “Lancashire, Lancashire, Lancashire,” from another batch of school children wheeled in for the day. A better start to the day for them too. Gone were the glowering grey clouds of the first day to be replaced by the white cotton wool type, some sun to go with them, but a chill breeze as winter reminded it might still have an over or two to bowl. The crowd was a little larger than on the first day, and the children were armed with plastic inflatable batons with which to accompany their endless wall of chatter and bottomless well of exuberance.

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Surviving to fight another day – Lancashire v Somerset – County Championship 2023 – 11th,12th, 13th and 14th May – Old Trafford – First day

'farmer white'

County Championship 2023. Division 1. Lancashire v Somerset. 11th,12th, 13th and 14th May. Old Trafford.

Lancashire. L.W.P. Wells, G.P. Balderson, J.J. Bohannon, S.J. Croft, D.J. Vilas (c), D.J. Mitchell, G.J. Bell (w), T.W. Hartley, W.S.A Williams, S. Mahmood, J.M. Anderson.

Somerset. T.A. Lammonby, S.M. Davies, T.B. Abell (c), G.A. Bartlett, T. Kohler-Cadmore, J.E.K. Rew (w), K.L. Aldridge, C. Overton, M.J. Henry, J.H. Davey, M.J. Leach.

Toss. Lancashire. Elected to field.

First day 11th May – Surviving to fight another day

“Lancashire, Lancashire, Lancashire.” It was a refrain which rang out across the day. It repeatedly broke out, perhaps after some Lancashire success. More often at random, high pitched and insistent. It was Schools Day at Old Trafford. There was the other call, at a much lower pitch, of, “Come on Lanky,” as I walked into the ground, reflecting the modern trend for even such traditional nomenclature as county names to be shortened. “Come on the ‘Rey,” and, “Come on the ’Sex,” being two others. ‘Somerset’ has not fallen subject to the trend thus far.

I only just made the start. There was an unexpected queue of some length at the ticket office, a small construction, within the perimeter of, but separate from, the huge edifices that form the main stands and buildings of Old Trafford. The length of the queue had little to do with the number of people in the ground, which probably barely reached 1,000, and everything to do with another marvel of the modern age, the need to give your entire life story before you can buy an event ticket. How did they manage at the then Coal Orchard Gate in Taunton, now the Brian Rose Gates, when I was a child, with their biscuit tin of cash and a roll of cloakroom tickets?

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A tremendous day of cricket – Somerset v Northamptonshire – County Championship 2023 – 4th,5th, 6th and 7th May – Taunton – Final day

'farmer white'

County Championship 2023. Division 1. Somerset v Northamptonshire. 4th,5th, 6th and 7th May. Taunton.

Somerset. T.A. Lammonby, S.R. Dickson, C.T. Bancroft, T.B. Abell (c), T. Kohler-Cadmore, J.E.K. Rew (w), L. Gregory, C. Overton, K.L. Aldridge, M.J. Leach, P.M. Siddle.

Northamptonshire. R.S. Vasconcelos, Hasan Azad, S.M. Whiteman (c), Z.A. Zaib, R.I. Keogh, J.J.G. Sales, H.O.M. Gouldstone (w), T.A.I. Taylor, J.S.D. Buckingham, B.W. Sanderson, C. White.

Overnight. Northamptonshire 255 and 66 for 1. Somerset 412. Northamptonshire trail by 91 runs with nine second innings wickets standing.

Final day 7th May – A tremendous day of cricket

This was a day of tension in the stands, effort from the bowlers, encouragement from the fielders and concentration from the batters. Cricket at its best. After three days of difficult weather, the Quantocks were visible all day as if they had booked their place with confidence, the bright yellow of the oilseed in pride of place. Craig Overton bowled the second over to the nightwatch, Jordan Buckingham. It set the tone for the day. Twice he beat Buckingham to gasps and once forced an edge which fell just short of the short leg fielder, but Buckingham survived the over. There was applause for the balls which beat the bat and for the over, a maiden, but Buckingham was still at the crease. More applause for Overton’s next over too, another maiden during which there was a vociferous leg before wicket appeal against Sam Whiteman.

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Coronation for a King – Somerset v Northamptonshire – County Championship 2023 – 4th,5th, 6th and 7th May – Taunton.

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County Championship 2023. Division 1. Somerset v Northamptonshire. 4th,5th, 6th and 7th May. Taunton.

Somerset. T.A. Lammonby, S.R. Dickson, C.T. Bancroft, T.B. Abell (c), T. Kohler-Cadmore, J.E.K. Rew (w), L. Gregory, C. Overton, K.L. Aldridge, M.J. Leach, P.M. Siddle.

Northamptonshire. R.S. Vasconcelos, Hasan Azad, S.M. Whiteman (c), Z.A. Zaib, R.I. Keogh, J.J.G. Sales, H.O.M. Gouldstone (w), T.A.I. Taylor, J.S.D. Buckingham, B.W. Sanderson, C. White.

Overnight. Northamptonshire 255. Somerset 199 for 4. Somerset trail by 56 runs with six first innings wickets standing.

Third day 6th May – Coronation for a King

The cricketing moment of the day came in its penultimate over. Somerset had headed Northamptonshire by 157 runs on first innings. Northamptonshire had reduced that to 94 runs without losing a wicket when Jack Leach bowled to the left-handed Ricardo Vasconcelos. Vasconcelos shaped to turn the ball to leg, Craig Overton, at a wide leg slip, almost backward short leg, anticipating, began to move to his right to intercept the expected stroke. The ball took the inside edge and flew fast and low to Overton’s left. Overton responded instantly, dived hard to his left and took the catch low down with his left hand. It was an astonishing catch. Vasconcelos looked stunned as he stared back down the pitch in disbelief. It was a crucial catch too, for until then, despite some testing bowling from Somerset’s pace bowlers, Lewis Gregory and Peter Siddle in particular, Northamptonshire had looked like they were having the better of the final hour of the day. It was only one wicket, but it felt like it changed the nature of the innings. If Leach could take wickets on the final day, Northamptonshire would struggle.

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Punch and counterpunch – County Championship 2023 – Somerset v Northamptonshire – 4th,5th, 6th and 7th May – Taunton – Second day

'farmer white'

County Championship 2023. Division 1. Somerset v Northamptonshire. 4th,5th, 6th and 7th May. Taunton.

Somerset. T.A. Lammonby, S.R. Dickson, C.T. Bancroft, T.B. Abell (c), T. Kohler-Cadmore, J.E.K. Rew (w), L. Gregory, C. Overton, K.L. Aldridge, M.J. Leach, P.M. Siddle.

Northamptonshire. R.S. Vasconcelos, Hasan Azad, S.M. Whiteman (c), Z.A. Zaib, R.I. Keogh, J.J.G. Sales, H.O.M. Gouldstone (w), T.A.I. Taylor, J.S.D. Buckingham, B.W. Sanderson, C. White.

Overnight. Northamptonshire 137 for 4.

Second day 5th May – Punch and counterpunch

The trials Tantalus was put through by the ancient gods can have been nothing compared to the tribulations, real and imagined, cricket supporters are put through by the British weather. On the first day of this match, in the face of a poor forecast, the cloud had hung over the ground all morning threatening to send the players scuttling to the Pavilion but, for the most part, kept them on the field. Then, having teased with hope, it doused it when it ended play for the day shortly after lunch. On the second day, the cloud constantly skirted the ground, often too close for comfort, constantly reminding of its power to disrupt, but in the end barely did. Heavy cloud over and close to the ground in the morning retreated a couple of miles to the west in the afternoon while the Quantocks were shrouded in rain to the south. Only in the early evening did the sun finally convince that play might continue to the scheduled close. To achieve that the weather defied the second day forecast. The start was delayed by half an hour and a couple of times the rain brushed the ground sending players and umpires from the field, but the loss of overs amounted to just four. Such is early-season cricket watching.

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“The luck will change” – County Championship 2023 – Somerset v Northamptonshire – 4th,5th, 6th and 7th May – Taunton – First day.

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County Championship 2023. Division 1. Somerset v Northamptonshire. 4th,5th, 6th and 7th May. Taunton.

Somerset. T.A. Lammonby, S.R. Dickson, C.T. Bancroft, T.B. Abell (c), T. Kohler-Cadmore, J.E.K. Rew (w), L. Gregory, C. Overton, K.L. Aldridge, M.J. Leach, P.M. Siddle.

Northamptonshire. R.S. Vasconcelos, Hasan Azad, S.M. Whiteman (c), Z.A. Zaib, R.I. Keogh, J.J.G. Sales, H.O.M. Gouldstone (w), T.A.I. Taylor, J.S.D. Buckingham, B.W. Sanderson, C. White.

Toss. Somerset. Elected to field.

First day 4th May – “The luck will change”

Somerset’s bottom place in the First Division, one point behind Northamptonshire, was not far from anyone’s mind as play got underway. A good start was essential. Eyes were therefore on a green pitch, an overcast sky and a forecast which threatened rain over the first three days. It was not a surprise when Tom Abell asked Northamptonshire to bat. The crowd was lacking in numbers to my eye for the first day of a Championship match, perhaps in response to the breath of winter still on the air and the forecast. The pitch was set near the centre of the square, reflecting the fact that the full playing area was now available after the depredations of winter had left the area in front of the Colin Atkinson Pavilion unfit for the season’s first two matches.

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A long afternoon – Somerset v Lancashire – County Championship 2023 – 20th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd April – Final day

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County Championship 2023. Division 1. Somerset v Lancashire. 20th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd April. Taunton.

Somerset. T.A. Lammonby, S.R. Dickson, C.T. Bancroft, T.B. Abell (c), T. Kohler-Cadmore, J.E.K. Rew (w), L. Gregory, K.A. Aldridge, M.J. Leach, P.M. Siddle, J.A. Brooks.

Lancashire. K.K. Jennings (c), L.W.P. Wells, J.J. Bohannon, D.J. Vilas, G.J. Bell (w), C. de Grandhomme, G.P. Balderson, T.W. Hartley, T.E. Bailey, S. Mahmood, J.M. Anderson.

Overnight. Somerset 441 and 41 for 0. Lancashire 554. Somerset trail by 72 runs with ten second innings wickets standing.

Final day 23rd April – A long afternoon

My arrival at the ground shortly after the start was greeted with the fall of three wickets in the time it took me to get from the Brian Rose Gates to the top of the Trescothick Pavilion. Or in cricketing terms, in less than two overs. I came through the gates to Tom Lammonby defending on the back foot. Tom Bailey was bowling from the River End. The ball was full, found the edge and flew straight at the midriff of Colin de Grandhomme at second slip. As slip catches go, it was a straightforward catch straightforwardly taken. Somerset 49 for 1 and I was awake for the day. Lammonby 23.

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Siddle and Gregory Battle for Somerset – Somerset v Lancashire – County Championship 2023 -20th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd April. Third Day

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County Championship 2023. Division 1. Somerset v Lancashire. 20th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd April. Taunton.

Somerset. T.A. Lammonby, S.R. Dickson, C.T. Bancroft, T.B. Abell (c), T. Kohler-Cadmore, J.E.K. Rew (w), L. Gregory, K.A. Aldridge, M.J. Leach, P.M. Siddle, J.A. Brooks.

Lancashire. K.K. Jennings (c), L.W.P. Wells, J.J. Bohannon, D.J. Vilas, G.J. Bell (w), C. de Grandhomme, G.P. Balderson, T.W. Hartley, T.E. Bailey, S. Mahmood, J.M. Anderson.

Overnight. Somerset 441. Lancashire 302 for 1. Lancashire trail by 139 runs with nine second innings wickets standing.

Third day 22nd April – Gregory and Siddle battle for Somerset

This was a day when two Somerset’s bowlers, 37-year-old Peter Siddle and 30-year-old Lewis Gregory, who has battled through more back injuries than enough, stepped up and put Lancashire to the test on a pitch made in a batter’s dreamland. Lancashire ended on 554 all out, but the last eight wickets fell for 178 runs after the day began with talk among home supporters of 700 being within range. With Keaton Jennings and Josh Bohannon adding 72 relatively untroubled runs in the first 11 overs of the day that talk seemed painfully all too realistic from the top of the Trescothick Pavilion.

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Lancashire re-shape the match – Somerset v Lancashire – County Championship 2023 – 20th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd April – Second Day

'farmer white'

County Championship 2023. Division 1. Somerset v Lancashire. 20th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd April. Taunton.

Somerset. T.A. Lammonby, S.R. Dickson, C.T. Bancroft, T.B. Abell (c), T. Kohler-Cadmore, J.E.K. Rew (w), L. Gregory, K.A. Aldridge, M.J. Leach, P.M. Siddle, J.A. Brooks.

Lancashire. K.K. Jennings (c), L.W.P. Wells, J.J. Bohannon, D.J. Vilas, G.J. Bell (w), C. de Grandhomme, G.P. Balderson, T.W. Hartley, T.E. Bailey, S. Mahmood, J.M. Anderson.

Overnight. Somerset 311 for 4.

Second day 21st April – Lancashire re-shape the match

Lancashire were not daunted by Somerset’s apparently dominant position at the end of the first day. Their bowlers responded by taking six wickets on the second morning while Somerset added 130 runs. A total of 441 all out was, on the face of it, a total from which the match might be controlled. By the end of the day that view had been devastatingly dispelled after Lancashire’s top three added 302 runs at a five runs an over. Keaton Jennings, 124 not out, played as if he was extending his triple century at Southport in 2022. The Lancashire batting was a sobering experience for Somerset supporters and put the progress which Tom Abell and James Rew had made on the first day into sharp perspective.

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