Category: County Championship 2022

A day of Vesuvian roars – Somerset v Essex – County Championship 2022 – 14th, 15th and 16th April – Taunton – Second day

'farmer white'

County Championship 2022. Division 1. Somerset v Essex. 14th, 15th and 16th April 2022. Taunton.

The following were unavailable for selection by Somerset through injury. Tom Banton, George Bartlett, Josh Davey and Sonny Baker, the last of whom will be unavailable for the immediate future. Matthew Renshaw has joined the squad, Craig Overton and Jack Leach have been approved to play by the ECB and Lewis Gregory and Jack Brooks have recovered from illness.

Somerset. B.G.F. Green, T.A. Lammonby, M.T. Renshaw, J.C. Hildreth, T.B. Abell (c), L.P. Goldsworthy, S.M. Davies (w), L. Gregory, C. Overton, P.M. Siddle, J. Leach.

Essex. N.L.J. Browne, Sir A.N. Cook, T. Westley, D.W. Lawrence, A.M. Rossington, M.J.J. Critchley, A.J.A. Wheater, S.R. Harmer, S. Snater, M.T. Steketee, S.J. Cook.

Overnight. Somerset 109. Essex 109 for 2. Essex have eight first innings wickets standing with the scores level.

Second day 15th April – A day of Vesuvian roars

The relocated Gimblett’s Hill benches next to the Colin Atkinson Pavilion again proved popular on the second day. When I meandered over to them during the tea interval, they were once more full. On the basis of number of spectators per seat they were the most popular part of the ground. Possibly also the warmest, for they and their occupants were bathed in warm sunshine. A far cry from the chill climate which still rules the upper section of the Trescothick Pavilion from where I have watched the first two days of this match. I wondered about the view, given the occupants must look full into the sun for a good part of the day.

Read More »

Somerset Take Control – Somerset v Warwickshire – County Championship 2022 – 28th, 29th and 30th April – Taunton

'farmer white'

County Championship 2022. Division 1. Somerset v Warwickshire. 28th, 29th and 30th April 2022. Taunton.

Sonny Baker and Peter Siddle were unavailable for selection by Somerset due to being injured.

Somerset. T.A. Lammonby, M.T. Renshaw, T.B. Abell (c), T. Banton, J.C. Hildreth, S.M. Davies (w), L. Gregory, C. Overton, J.H. Davey, J. Leach, J.A. Brooks.

Warwickshire. R.M. Yates, D.M. Sibley, W.M.H. Rhodes (c), A.L. Davies, S.R. Hain, M.J. Lamb, M.G.K. Burgess (w), N.J. McAndrew. C.N. Miles, D.R. Briggs, O.J. Hannon-Dalby,

Overnight. Somerset 351 for 4.

Second day 29th April – Somerset take control

Seen in isolation the cricket played on the second day suggested an even contest between the two sides. Somerset scored 107 for the loss of their last six wickets. Warwickshire 197 for 9. But by dint of their near faultless performance with the bat on the first day, Somerset will enter the third day in complete control of this match. Warwickshire fought back hard with the ball on the second morning, but in the final two sessions Somerset’s bowlers drove home the advantage fashioned by the batters on the first day.

Read More »

An Outstanding Game of Cricket – Surrey v Somerset – County Championship 2022 – 21st, 22nd, 23rd and 24th April – The Oval

'farmer white'

County Championship 2022. Division 1. Surrey v Somerset. 21st, 22nd, 23rd and 24th April 2022. The Oval.

Lewis Gregory was unavailable for selection by Somerset through injury.

Somerset. T.A. Lammonby, M.T. Renshaw, T.B. Abell (c), T. Banton, J.C. Hildreth, S.M. Davies (w), C. Overton, J.H. Davey, J. Leach, P.M. Siddle, J.A. Brooks.

Surrey. R.J. Burns (c), R.S. Patel, H.M. Amla, O.J.D. Pope, B.T. Foakes (w), S.M. Curran, W.G. Jacks, J. Overton, J. Clark, J.P.A. Taylor, R.J.W. Topley.

Overnight. Somerset 337 and 196 for 9. Surrey 308. Somerset lead by 225 runs with one second innings wicket standing.

Fourth day 24th April – An outstanding game of cricket

It is still relatively early days in this Championship season. Only three rounds of matches have been played in a 14-match competition and some counties have only played two. However, the early-season table has a stark symmetry about it. The top five teams are all based at Test match grounds. The bottom five at non-Test grounds. The Test ground counties have between them won eight matches and lost one. The non-Test ground counties have won one and lost eight. The Test ground counties have 210 points between them. The non-Test ground counties have 105, precisely half. With the future of red-ball domestic cricket about to become the subject of a major review and with talk of moving to a structure where the ‘best play the best’, the current situation will be of concern to supporters of the smaller counties.

Read More »

“Why are they all wearing white?” – Surrey v Somerset – County Championship 2022 – 21st, 22nd, 23rd and 24th April – The Oval – Third Day

'farmer white'

County Championship 2022. Division 1. Surrey v Somerset. 21st, 22nd, 23rd and 24th April 2022. The Oval.

Lewis Gregory was unavailable for selection by Somerset through injury.

Somerset. T.A. Lammonby, M.T. Renshaw, T.B. Abell (c), T. Banton, J.C. Hildreth, S.M. Davies (w), C. Overton, J.H. Davey, J. Leach, P.M. Siddle, J.A. Brooks.

Surrey. R.J. Burns (c), R.S. Patel, H.M. Amla, O.J.D. Pope, B.T. Foakes (w), S.M. Curran, W.G. Jacks, J. Overton, J. Clark, J.P.A. Taylor, R.J.W. Topley.

Overnight. Somerset 337. Surrey 204 for 5. Surrey trail by 133 runs with five first innings wickets standing.

Third day 23rd April – “Why are they all wearing white?”

“Why are they all wearing white?” It was a curious question to overhear at a Championship match as I sat square of the wicket with the gasometer over my right shoulder. A father was being quizzed by his young son about what was happening in front of them. It transpired it was the son’s first cricket match. He was curious because in his digital cricket game the players wore coloured clothing. The modern route into cricket perhaps. No longer the first sight coming on a visit to a county ground after school, or on a television broadcast, but in a game on a tablet, a smartphone, a laptop or relayed from any of those to a television screen. The world really is moving on. At the other extreme, as I walked behind the Galadari Stand before the start of play, a longstanding Somerset supporter without internet access asked, “Did we drop any catches yesterday?” Cue an explanation of Tom Banton’s two experiences with the flying ball.

Read More »

On a knife-edge – Surrey v Somerset – County Championship 2022 – 21st, 22nd, 23rd and 24th April – The Oval

'farmer white'

County Championship 2022. Division 1. Surrey v Somerset. 21st, 22nd, 23rd and 24th April 2022. The Oval.

Lewis Gregory was unavailable for selection by Somerset through injury.

Somerset. T.A. Lammonby, M.T. Renshaw, T.B. Abell (c), T. Banton, J.C. Hildreth, S.M. Davies (w), C. Overton, J.H. Davey, J. Leach, P.M. Siddle, J.A. Brooks.

Surrey. R.J. Burns (c), R.S. Patel, H.M. Amla, O.J.D. Pope, B.T. Foakes (w), S.M. Curran, W.G. Jacks, J. Overton, J. Clark, J.P.A. Taylor, R.J.W. Topley.

Overnight. Somerset 283 for 6.

Second day 22nd April – On a knife-edge

When Ollie Pope hooked Craig Overton high towards deep square leg it seemed that it was merely a continuation of the burgeoning Foakes-Pope partnership which had already added 80 runs to Surrey’s shaky 48 for 3 start in response to Somerset’s first innings 337. Tom Banton was running flat out along the boundary from deep midwicket towards the gasometer, but it looked like a hopelessly forlorn attempt to stop a boundary. Then, he took off, dived full length towards the falling ball, stretched out his hand and, unbelievably it seemed from my seat beyond the Vauxhall End sight screen, caught it one-handed, inches above the grass. Video replays do not do the catch justice. It looked far more spectacular in the flesh and, frankly, uncatchable.

Read More »

Gloucestershire Overpowered – Gloucestershire v Somerset – County Championship 2022 – 12th, 13th and 14th May – Bristol – Final Day

'farmer white'

County Championship 2022. Division 1. Gloucestershire v Somerset. 12th, 13th and 14th May. Bristol.

Sonny Baker was unavailable for selection by Somerset due to his continuing injury.

Gloucestershire. M.S. Harris, G.F.B. Scott, J.R. Bracey (w), M.A.H. Hammond, G.L. van Buuren (c) R.F. Higgins, J.G. Bethell, Z.J. Chappell, Zafar Gohar, M.D. Taylor, B.T.J. Wheal.

Somerset. T.A. Lammonby, M.T. Renshaw, T.B. Abell (c), T. Banton, J.C. Hildreth, S.M. Davies (w), L. Gregory, C. Overton, J.H. Davey, P.M. Siddle, M.J. Leach.

Overnight. Somerset 591 for 7 dec. Gloucestershire 119 for 4. Gloucestershire trail by 472 runs with six second innings wickets standing.

Final day 14th May – Gloucestershire overpowered

Somerset’s victory by an innings and 246 runs should not disguise the intensity of cricket which went into overcoming a weakened Gloucestershire team inside three days on a pitch which gave every impression of being capable of lasting a week. For two matches in succession now the Somerset batting has matched the bowling, and the fielding has been as exceptional as ever. The result: two innings victories with a day to spare. Much tougher challenges lie ahead against Hampshire and Surrey, but those teams may find themselves facing a different proposition to the one they faced on their home grounds earlier in the season. In this Somerset side, in this match, there was no weak link.

Read More »

A Crowd Within a Crowd – Gloucestershire v Somerset County – Championship 2022 – 12th, 13th and 14th May – Bristol – Second Day

'farmer white'

County Championship 2022. Division 1. Gloucestershire v Somerset. 12th, 13th and 14th May. Bristol.

Sonny Baker was unavailable for selection by Somerset due to his continuing injury.

Gloucestershire. M.S. Harris, G.F.B. Scott, J.R. Bracey (w), M.A.H. Hammond, G.L. van Buuren (c) R.F. Higgins, J.G. Bethell, Z.J. Chappell, Zafar Gohar, M.D. Taylor, B.T.J. Wheal.

Somerset. T.A. Lammonby, M.T. Renshaw, T.B. Abell (c), T. Banton, J.C. Hildreth, S.M. Davies (w), L. Gregory, C. Overton, J.H. Davey, P.M. Siddle, M.J. Leach.

Overnight. Somerset 319 for 4.

Second day 13th May – A crowd within a crowd

The second day felt like a home match. Somerset faces, hats and shirts were everywhere. At least half the crowd, the person with me thought. I wasn’t so sure; it is difficult to assess crowds when they are spread around a ground. Whatever the actual proportions, there were significant numbers of Somerset supporters. More than I can recall seeing at an away match. The volume of their applause and cheers added evidence to that view, and as the day wore on and Somerset turned their overnight 319 for 4 into the promised position of dominance, there is no doubt that the Somerset contingent accounted for far more than half the crowd noise, and virtually all of the cheering. It was not the pockets of cheering that you often hear from opposition supporters at away matches. This was a crowd within a crowd. A Somerset crowd making itself heard. It was a day to be a Somerset supporter. A day which produced everything a Somerset supporter could wish for on a pitch brimming with runs. Of those runs, Somerset took their full measure before subjecting Gloucestershire to a severe examination as they tried to gather some runs of their own.

Read More »

“Come on Somerset!” – Somerset v Surrey – County Championship 2022 – 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th June – Taunton – Third Day

'farmer white'

County Championship 2022. Division 1. Somerset v Surrey. 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th June. Taunton.

Sonny Baker was unavailable for selection by Somerset due to his continuing back injury while Jack Leach was on Test duty with England and Matt Renshaw on international duty with Australia.

Somerset. T.A. Lammonby, B.F.G. Green, T.B. Abell (c), T. Banton, L.P. Goldsworthy, S.M. Davies (w), L. Gregory, R.E. van der Merwe, C. Overton/M. de Lange*, J.H. Davey/K.L. Aldridge*, P.M. Siddle.

*J.H. Davey was replaced by K.L. Aldridge on the first day and C. Overton by M. de Lange on the second under the ECB Concussion Protocol

Surrey. R.J. Burns (c), R.S. Patel, H.M. Amla, B.B.A. Geddes, J.L. Smith (w), W.G. Jacks, C.T. Steel, J. Clark, J. Overton, A.A.P. Atkinson, D.J. Worrall.

Overnight. Somerset 180. Surry 382 for 8. Surrey lead by 202 runs with two second innings wickets standing.

Third day 14th June – “Come on Somerset!”

At the end of the second day few I spoke to expected this match to reach the end of the third. But the match is still in progress, even if Surrey are expected to win early in the afternoon of the final day. That is some measure of Somerset’s improving performance with the bat in their second innings, although there were still areas where they, as school reports used to say, “Could do better.” I, at least, had done better than my second day performance, arriving at the Brian Rose Gates four rather than 20 minutes late. “You have missed two wickets,” said the man leaving the ground as I approached. “What?” my bemused response. “Well,” he said, “Surrey are all out and the players have left the field.” And so they had, and not a run added to Surrey’s overnight total. In the first over of the day, Lewis Gregory had dismissed Gus Atkinson and Dan Worrall, both caught behind. Shades of Trent Bridge 2018 when I arrived late and missed a hat trick by Craig Overton. I really must learn.

Read More »

Surrey take a grip – Somerset v Surrey – County Championship 2022 – 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th June – Taunton – Second Day

'farmer white'

County Championship 2022. Division 1. Somerset v Surrey. 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th June. Taunton.

Sonny Baker was unavailable for selection by Somerset due to his continuing back injury while Jack Leach was on Test duty with England and Matt Renshaw on international duty with Australia.

Somerset. T.A. Lammonby, B.F.G. Green, T.B. Abell (c), T. Banton, L.P. Goldsworthy, S.M. Davies (w), L. Gregory, R.E. van der Merwe, C. Overton/M. de Lange, J.H. Davey/K.L. Aldridge*, P.M. Siddle.

*J.H. Davey was replaced by K.L. Aldridge on the first day and C. Overton by M. de Lange on the second under the ECB Concussion Protocol

Surrey. R.J. Burns (c), R.S. Patel, H.M. Amla, B.B.A. Geddes, J.L. Smith (w), W.G. Jacks, C.T. Steel, J. Clark, J. Overton, A.A.P. Atkinson, D.J. Worrall.

Overnight. Somerset 180. Surry 56 for 1. Surrey trail by 124 runs with nine second innings wickets standing.

Second day 13th June – Surrey take a grip

Waiting in for a parcel that requires a signature is one of the less endearing aspects of modern life. One of the more endearing is the message you receive telling you, within an hour or so, when it will arrive. Who would have imagined that when I watched my first Championship match at Taunton in 1958? The world has changed. The cricket world too. The first day of Championship cricket in 1958 took place on 7th May. Somerset played Glamorgan at Cardiff Arms Park. The match was drawn, and Colin McCool made 130.

Read More »

Pure Goldsworthy – Lancashire v Somerset – County Championship 2022 – July 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th – Southport – Final Day

'farmer white'

County Championship 2022. Division 1. Lancashire v Somerset. 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th July. Southport.

Tom Abell, Tom Banton, Craig Overton and Will Smeed were unavailable for selection due to being on England Lions duty. Jack Leach was unavailable due to being rested following his recent Test match duties.

Lancashire. K.K. Jennings, L.W.P. Wells, S.J. Croft, D.J. Vilas (c)(w), J.J. Bohannon, R.P. Jones, G.P. Balderson, L. Wood, T.E. Bailey, W.S.A. Williams, J.P. Morley.

Somerset. M.T. Renshaw, S.M. Davies (w), T.A. Lammonby, G.A. Bartlett, L.P. Goldsworthy, J.E.K. Rew, L. Gregory, R.E. van der Merwe, P.M. Siddle (c), J.A. Brooks, G.S. Virdi.

Overnight. Somerset 446. Lancashire 624 for 9. Lancashire lead by 178 runs with one first innings wickets standing.

Fourth day 14th July – Pure Goldsworthy

With no prospect of victory Somerset began the final day needing to bat most of it to save the match. It was their eighth Championship match of the season, and they were yet to draw a single game after two victories and five defeats. As a consequence, they began the match sitting in one of the two relegation places. With eight points for a draw this season, the inability to save matches has made a significant contribution to Somerset’s plight. No other team has failed to draw a match and Northamptonshire, five points above Somerset, having played one game less, have no victories but five draws. Draws, where victory is not possible, are particularly crucial this year.

Read More »

Keaton Jennings 318 – A Day of Itinerance – Lancashire v Somerset – County Championship 2022 – 11th, 12th 13th and 14th July – Southport – Third Day

'farmer white'

County Championship 2022. Division 1. Lancashire v Somerset. 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th July. Southport.

Tom Abell, Tom Banton, Craig Overton and Will Smeed were unavailable for selection due to being on England Lions duty. Jack Leach was unavailable due to being rested following his recent Test match duties.

Lancashire. K.K. Jennings, L.W.P. Wells, S.J. Croft, D.J. Vilas (c)(w), J.J. Bohannon, R.P. Jones, G.P. Balderson, L. Wood, T.E. Bailey, W.S.A. Williams, J.P. Morley.

Somerset. M.T. Renshaw, S.M. Davies (w), T.A. Lammonby, G.A. Bartlett, L.P. Goldsworthy, J.E.K. Rew, L. Gregory, R.E. van der Merwe, P.M. Siddle (c), J.A. Brooks, G.S. Virdi.

Overnight. Somerset 446. Lancashire 164 for 0. Lancashire trail by 282 runs with ten first innings wickets standing.

Third day 13th July – Keaton Jennings 318 – A day of itinerance

Perhaps it was watching cricket in the relaxing ambience of a bygone age that broke my concentration when I emerged from my hotel on the third morning of this match. Whatever it was, it took me longer than it should have done to walk to the ground, and I missed the first four balls of the day. Off the second of those, Luke Wells went to his century, if more by accident than design. A replay tells me he attempted to defend against Peter Siddle’s second ball and edged past the diving Matthew Renshaw at second slip. The ball ran for four and took Wells to 103. A lackadaisical start and missing a century rather set the pattern of my cricket watching for the day. The ambience of cricket at Southport is liable to be like that. Lancashire lost eight more wickets before the close and I contrived to miss three of them, all whilst walking behind the bar at the Grosvenor Road End. For two other wickets, I was not in my seat, but did manage to catch sight of them as I meandered about the ground.

Read More »

“This might not be too bad for Lancs” – Lancashire v Somerset – County Championship 2022 – 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th July – Southport

'farmer white'

County Championship 2022. Division 1. Lancashire v Somerset. 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th July. Southport.

Tom Abell, Tom Banton, Craig Overton and Will Smeed were unavailable for selection due to being on England Lions duty. Jack Leach was unavailable due to being rested following his recent Test match duties. James Rew made his Championship debut in this match. Amar Virdi was on loan from Surrey to Somerset for this match.

Lancashire. K.K. Jennings, L.W.P. Wells, S.J. Croft, D.J. Vilas (c)(w), J.J. Bohannon, R.P. Jones, G.P. Balderson, L. Wood, T.E. Bailey, W.S.A. Williams, J.P. Morley.

Somerset. M.T. Renshaw, S.M. Davies (w), T.A. Lammonby, G.A. Bartlett, L.P. Goldsworthy, J.E.K. Rew, L. Gregory, R.E. van der Merwe, P.M. Siddle (c), J.A. Brooks, G.S. Virdi.

Overnight. Somerset 297 for 5.

Second day 12th July – “This might not be too bad for Lancs.”

There was a high covering of cloud, but lest the sun break through, and forearmed with my experience of the heat of the first day, I made straight for the privet hedge at the Harrod Drive End and re-annexed my spot where shade had reigned for most of the day. I put my bag on my seat and wandered off into the crowd. There were a few familiar faces to say hello to and one with whom I shared my relief about Somerset’s first day score. With another, I acknowledged that Lewis Goldsworthy had demonstrated the skill and application to establish himself in the side.

On returning to my seat, I discovered that two Lancashire supporters had placed chairs either side of mine and were chatting away as if my chair did not exist. It seemed an odd arrangement since my chair had been alone when I left, but I offered to swap seats with one of them so they could sit together. “Oh, we aren’t together,” the reply, “We don’t know each other, we just put our chairs here to catch some shade.” So, I sat between them and spent the rest of the day in the middle of a continuous Lancastrian cricket conversation interspersed with a few Somerset anecdotes. It is the way of things in these parts it seems.

Read More »

An Air of Permanence – Lancashire v Somerset – County Championship 2022 – Division 1 – 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th July – Southport

'farmer white'

County Championship 2022. Division 1. Lancashire v Somerset. 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th July. Southport.

Tom Abell, Tom Banton, Craig Overton and Will Smeed were unavailable for selection due to being on England Lions duty. Jack Leach was unavailable due to being rested following his recent Test match duties. James Rew made his Championship debut in this match. Amar Virdi was on loan from Surrey to Somerset for this match.

Lancashire. K.K. Jennings, L.W.P. Wells, S.J. Croft, D.J. Vilas (c)(w), J.J. Bohannon, R.P. Jones, G.P. Balderson, L. Wood, T.E. Bailey, W.S.A. Williams, J.P. Morley.

Somerset. M.T. Renshaw, S.M. Davies (w), T.A. Lammonby, G.A. Bartlett, L.P. Goldsworthy, J.E.K. Rew, L. Gregory, R.E. van der Merwe, P.M. Siddle (c), J.A. Brooks, G.S. Virdi.

Toss. Somerset. Elected to bat.

First day 11th July – An air of permanence

If you keep your wits about you, watching cricket at Southport is a pleasant, relaxing business. Mobile phones and live stream cameras aside, it could be Clarence Park half a century ago. Southport beach too could be Weston. Looking out to sea with the tide out, it is difficult to differentiate shoreline from skyline. Cars parked on the beach too, although I don’t recall seeing cars doing handbrake turns on Weston beach in the Seventies. It is quite a walk from my hotel to the beach and the best part of two miles from hotel to ground, all of it up hill. That was quite a stride in the searing heat of the first day with a backpack filled with fluids (they would have been called drinks in the Seventies) and food. One lesson was learned very quickly. Walk on the shady side of the street. Fortunately, shade was in plentiful supply courtesy of the high hedges and trees which adorn the garden fronts of the expansive houses which line the walk from Southport to the Trafalgar Road ground of Southport and Birkdale Cricket Club.

Read More »

Somerset v Yorkshire – County Championship 2022 – 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd July – Taunton – Final Day – No play – Rain

'farmer white'

County Championship 2022. Division 1. Somerset v Yorkshire. 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd July. Taunton.

Craig Overton was unavailable for selection due to being on international duty. Josh Davey was unavailable due to a hamstring injury and Sonny Baker due to an ongoing back injury.

The author watched this day on the Somerset CCC live stream having tested positive for COVID before setting off for the cricket.

Somerset. M.T. Renshaw, T.A. Lammonby, T.B. Abell (c), G.A. Bartlett, L.P. Goldsworthy, J.E.K. Rew (w), L. Gregory, K.L. Aldridge, M.J. Leach, J.A. Brooks, M. de Lange.

Yorkshire. A. Lyth (c), T. Kohler-Cadmore, G.C.H. Hill, H.C. Brook, J.A. Tattersall (w), D.M. Bess, J.A. Thompson, M.L. Revis, J.W. Shutt, M.J. Waite, S.T. Gabriel.

Overnight. Somerset 424 and 225 for 6. Yorkshire 276. Somerset lead by 373 runs.

Final day 22nd July – No play. Rain.

The bees had flown, and I was left with the runny nose and cough. Hardly an illness at all. But a second test confirmed the first. It was COVID. No doubt. So, another day in quarantine, sitting in a chair this time. I really was not ill enough to justify laying on a bed, and it is much more comfortable watching cricket in an upright position. The live stream showed heavy cloud, but a clear view of the Quantocks. Then, instead of players coming out, the covers came on. Rain, light at first, came and went. The Quantocks disappeared and reappeared  The figures on the Colin Atkinson scoreboard brightened and dimmed. The covers came off and went back on. The umpires inspected and took refuge in the Caddick Pavilion. The covers came off and went back on again. Hope rose and fell. An early lunch was called. A restart was announced for 25 minutes to three. And then, as the rain continued its Hokey Cokey, the match was abandoned. But a defensive draw at Southport had been followed by a dominant draw at Taunton. Progress for Somerset at least.

Read More »

A sideways look at the day – cricket through COVID eyes – Somerset v Yorkshire – County Championship 2022 – July 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd – Third day

'farmer white'

County Championship 2022. Division 1. Somerset v Yorkshire. 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd July. Taunton.

Craig Overton was unavailable for selection due to being on international duty. Josh Davey was unavailable due to a hamstring injury and Sonny Baker due to an ongoing back injury.

The author watched this day on the Somerset CCC live stream having tested positive for COVID before setting off for the cricket.

Somerset. M.T. Renshaw, T.A. Lammonby, T.B. Abell (c), G.A. Bartlett, L.P. Goldsworthy, J.E.K. Rew (w), L. Gregory, K.L. Aldridge, M.J. Leach, J.A. Brooks, M. de Lange.

Yorkshire. A. Lyth (c), T. Kohler-Cadmore, G.C.H. Hill, H.C. Brook, J.A. Tattersall (w), D.M. Bess, J.A. Thompson, M.L. Revis, J.W. Shutt, M.J. Waite, S.T. Gabriel.

Overnight. Somerset 424. Yorkshire 167 for 4. Yorkshire trail by 257 runs.

Third day 20th July – A sideways look at the day – cricket through COVID eyes

A positive COVID test before setting off for the cricket rather turned my day on its head. Or, at least, on its side. An irritating cough, a muzzy head and the beginnings of a runny nose the only symptoms at the start of the day. By the end, my nose was running like the Niagara Falls and I was using tissues faster than Somerset were scoring runs, and they were scoring at quite a rate. The muzzy head soon turned itself into a bag of furiously buzzing bees which moved en masse in the opposite direction to any and every movement of my head, bouncing off the far side when they got there before buzzing back the other way. If I needed to walk, I placed my feet delicately one in front of the other in an attempt to avoid provoking the bees into another attempt to break out of my head each time I put my foot down. Everything had to be done in slow motion, whether getting onto or off the bed, or drinking water, or taking an occasional look at other scores on my phone. The longer the day went on, until they began to relent in the late afternoon, the more were those bees likely to fly into a rage at the slightest movement of my head.

I watched the cricket laying on my side with my laptop perched on a chair beside the bed in the self-imposed quarantine of a spare bedroom. Laying on my side with my head resting motionless on a pillow was the best way to appease those bees. I drank plenty of fluids, took a couple of paracetamol, tried to keep the peace between my competing symptoms, got as much rest as I could, and, crucially, watch as much of the cricket as my fuzzed mind could accommodate. As if watching Someset with a clear head is not chellenging enough.

Read More »

Advantage Somerset – Somerset v Yorkshire – County Championship 2022 – July 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd – Taunton – Second day

'farmer white'

County Championship 2022. Division 1. Somerset v Yorkshire. 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd July. Taunton.

Craig Overton was unavailable for selection due to being on international duty. Josh Davey was unavailable due to a hamstring injury and Sonny Baker due to an ongoing back injury.

Somerset. M.T. Renshaw, T.A. Lammonby, T.B. Abell (c), G.A. Bartlett, L.P. Goldsworthy, J.E.K. Rew (w), L. Gregory, K.L. Aldridge, M.J. Leach, J.A. Brooks, M. de Lange.

Yorkshire. A. Lyth (c), T. Kohler-Cadmore, G.C.H. Hill, H.C. Brook, J.A. Tattersall (w), D.M. Bess, J.A. Thompson, M.L. Revis, J.W. Shutt, M.J. Waite, S.T. Gabriel.

Overnight. Somerset 262 for 5.

Second day 20th July – Advantage Somerset

This was a day when the unexpected became the norm. Cloud and rain hugged the Quantocks for much of the day, but only half an hour’s play was lost. The normally deep-voiced, melodic English accent of the public address announcements was briefly replaced by a lilting Australian twang, subsequently discovered to be the result of a raid on the microphone by Matt Renshaw. Kasey Aldridge, batting high at number eight, found the boundary with a reverse sweep, “They can all do it now,” the comment, and Jack Leach connected with a switch-hit which deposited the ball into the Ondaatje Stand. They can’t all do that. Somerset’s final session wobble of the first day was overcome too as, after an initial stumble, they began to build a substantial score on the second morning. This was a match beginning to hold the attention.

Read More »

Abell takes the heat for Somerset – Somerset v Yorkshire – County Championship 2022 – 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd July – Taunton – First day

'farmer white'

County Championship 2022. Division 1. Somerset v Yorkshire. 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd July. Taunton.

Craig Overton was unavailable for selection due to being on international duty. Josh Davey was unavailable due to a hamstring injury and Sonny Baker due to an ongoing back injury.

Somerset. M.T. Renshaw, T.A. Lammonby, T.B. Abell (c), G.A. Bartlett, L.P. Goldsworthy, J.E.K. Rew (w), L. Gregory, K.L. Aldridge, M.J. Leach, J.A. Brooks, M. de Lange.

Yorkshire. A. Lyth (c), T. Kohler-Cadmore, G.C.H. Hill, H.C. Brook, J.A. Tattersall (w), D.M. Bess, J.A. Thompson, M.L. Revis, J.W. Shutt, M.J. Waite, S.T. Gabriel.

Toss. Somerset. Elected to bat.

First day 19th July – Abell takes the heat for Somerset

This was a day to sit in the shade, even in the morning when the sun was restricted in its effect by a hazy covering of cloud. When the sun was in its full glory, the temperature topped out in the furnace somewhere beyond 30 degrees Celsius. Not as high as the 40 degrees in parts of eastern and northern England which broke all records. Hot enough though for spectators to fill the top of the Trescothick Pavilion, protected as it is from the sun by one of those wing roofs which look as if they are held up by good intentions and little else, and fill the bottom section too no doubt, protected as it is by the top one. I cannot vouch for that, for once I had secured my seat in the top section I did not venture out. The mere threat of the heat was enough to keep me out of it. A fair number sought refuge in the shade of the Lord Ian Botham Stand, but otherwise, what looked like a school party in the Temporary Stand apart, few braved the full heat of the open stands on which the sun beat down without pity or mercy, the first part of the afternoon apart when a random shower soaked the ground and stole 20 overs from the day.   

Read More »

Somerset live to fight another day – County Championship 2022 – Somerset v Gloucestershire – 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th September 2022 – Final day

'farmer white'

County Championship 2022. Division 1. Somerset v Gloucestershire. 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th September. Taunton.

Craig Overton and Jack Leach were unavailable for selection for this match due to being on international duty. James Hildreth had retired from professional cricket. Matthew Renshaw and Peter Siddle were no longer available as overseas players and were replaced by Imam-ul-Haq and Sajid Khan.

Somerset. Iman-ul-Haq, T.A. Lammonby, T.B. Abell (c), G.A. Bartlett, L.P. Goldsworthy, J.E.K. Rew (w), L. Gregory, K.L. Aldridge, J.H. Davey, Sajid Khan, J.A. Brooks.

Gloucestershire. B.G. Charlesworth, M.S. Harris, O.J. Price, M.A.H. Hammond, J.R. Bracey (w), G.L. van Buuren (c), J.M.R. Taylor, T.J. Price, J. Shaw, D.A. Payne, A.S. Dale. 

Overnight. Gloucestershire 343 and 246 for 5. Somerset 248. Gloucestershire lead by 341 runs with five second wickets standing.

Final day – Somerset survive to fight another day

My day began with a weather forecast littered with heavy showers, a torrential shower, a wait on the Somerset website to see if there would be a start on time, and then, when it was announced there would be, a rush for a bus which took 25 minutes to arrive. I arrived at the Brian Rose Gates 20 minutes late, just in time to reach the old Legends Square to see players and crowd looking high towards the heavens. Not for rain but trying to track a ball from Jack Brooks which David Payne had just pulled towards the Somerset Stand. Too late to pick up the flight, I looked along the flats just in time to see the ball ricocheting between one of the lower-level balconies and the back of the Somerset Stand before falling onto the concourse below.  

Read More »

Bemusement and the Gloucestershire Caravan – Somerset v Gloucestershire – County Championship 2022 – 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th September – Taunton

'farmer white'

County Championship 2022. Division 1. Somerset v Gloucestershire. 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th September. Taunton.

Craig Overton and Jack Leach were unavailable for selection for this match due to being on international duty. James Hildreth had retired from professional cricket. Matthew Renshaw and Peter Siddle were no longer available as overseas players and were replaced by Imam-ul-Haq and Sajid Khan.

Somerset. Iman-ul-Haq, T.A. Lammonby, T.B. Abell (c), G.A. Bartlett, L.P. Goldsworthy, J.E.K. Rew (w), L. Gregory, K.L. Aldridge, J.H. Davey, Sajid Khan, J.A. Brooks.

Gloucestershire. B.G. Charlesworth, M.S. Harris, O.J. Price, M.A.H. Hammond, J.R. Bracey (w), G.L. van Buuren (c), J.M.R. Taylor, T.J. Price, J. Shaw, D.A. Payne, A.S. Dale. 

Overnight. Gloucestershire 343. Somerset 209 for 8. Somerset trail by 134 with two first innings wickets standing.

Third day – Bemusement and the Gloucestershire caravan

This was a day of cricket which left every Somerset supporter I spoke to bemused but relieved. It was a day which moved at the pace of a desert caravan occasionally enlivened by an inexplicable burst of activity. With a first innings lead of 95, a poor forecast for the final day, and needing to win the match, Gloucestershire lost few wickets, but batted at barely two and a half runs an over. At one point, as if the caravan was passing through deep sand, they batted an hour for 19 runs. It had all the feel of a side which needed to win, batting determinedly for a draw.

Read More »

Somerset hold on – just – Somerset v Gloucestershire – County Championship 2022 – 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th September – Taunton – Second Day

'farmer white'

County Championship 2022. Division 1. Somerset v Gloucestershire. 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th September. Taunton.

Craig Overton and Jack Leach were unavailable for selection for this match due to being on international duty. James Hildreth had retired from professional cricket. Matthew Renshaw and Peter Siddle were no longer available as overseas players and were replaced by Imam-ul-Haq and Sajid Khan.

Somerset. Iman-ul-Haq, T.A. Lammonby, T.B. Abell (c), G.A. Bartlett, L.P. Goldsworthy, J.E.K. Rew (w), L. Gregory, K.L. Aldridge, J.H. Davey, Sajid Khan, J.A. Brooks.

Gloucestershire. B.G. Charlesworth, M.S. Harris, O.J. Price, M.A.H. Hammond, J.R. Bracey (w), G.L. van Buuren (c), J.M.R. Taylor, T.J. Price, J. Shaw, D.A. Payne, A.S. Dale. 

Overnight. Gloucestershire 320 for 6.

Second day – Somerset hold on – just

It was a day to sit in the top of the Trescothick Pavilion. Rain. Overnight and in the morning. The bane of the cricket watcher’s life, and if the forecast is to be believed, of this match. It took 45 minutes off the start of the second day, although only four overs were deducted because of the promise of an extra half hour at the end of the day. It is September though, and there is always a good chance that cloud, or even the early setting sun, will rob the match of at least some of its extra time. By the start, the sun was shining brightly despite swathes of rough white cloud which, as so often in such conditions, rarely seemed to hinder it. It was a sky to lift the spirit after the rain, although a glance at the unforgiving scoreboard was liable to deflate them again. Gloucestershire were in the ascendancy. Most in the ground on the second morning would have expected them to comfortably pass 350 from their overnight position, although the wicket of Marcus Harris late on the previous evening, conjured from a typically unexpected lifter from Jack Brooks, had removed Gloucestershire’s main threat.  

Read More »