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

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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.

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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. 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

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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.

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

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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 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

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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 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

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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 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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Rehabilitation – Somerset v Lancashire – County Championship 2023 – 20th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd April – Taunton – First 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.

Toss. Lancashire. Elected to field.

First day 20th April – Rehabilitation

In the end, this was a day of rehabilitation for Somerset. Having been put in by Lancashire, they were soon suffering from their, now almost traditional, malaise of losing early wickets. By the end of the tenth over they were three wickets down with only 24 runs on the board. Sean Dickson had gone for nought, literally walking into a leg before wicket decision against Jimmy Anderson. Tom Lammonby had tried to respond by attacking, an on drive off Anderson, beautifully leaned into, had brought an admiring cry of, “Good shot!” But on 15, after half an hour at the crease, he played a straight, defensive stroke to Anderson, the ball took the edge and was caught in front of his shins by Keaton Jennings at second slip.

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A comprehensive defeat – Nottinghamshire v Somerset – County Championship 2023 – 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th April – Final Day

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County Championship 2023. Division 1. Nottinghamshire v Somerset. 13th,14th, 15th and 16th April. Trent Bridge.

Nottinghamshire. H. Hameed, B.M. Duckett, B.T. Slater, J.M. Clarke, L.W. James, S.J. Mullaney (c),T.J. Moores (w), L.A. Patterson-White, B.A. Hutton, S.C.J. Broad, D. Paterson.

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, J.H. Davey, M.J. Leach, P.M. Siddle.

Overnight. Nottinghamshire 256 and 187 for 6. Somerset 173. Nottinghamshire lead by 270 runs with four second innings wickets standing.Final day 16th April – A comprehensive defeat

“Come on, skittle ‘em out so we can all go home and watch the football,” was the comment, said only half in jest from one of the Nottinghamshire supporters sitting behind me in the lower level of the Radcliffe Road Stand. The football referred to was the match due to start at half past four ‘just across the road’ at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground where Manchester United were the visitors. At Trent Bridge, Tom Lammonby had just been dismissed by Brett Hutton in the fourth over of Somerset’s second innings as a police siren wailed past the ground. “Already,” the voice from behind said, “and it’s still five hours to kick off.” In fact, it was the only police siren I heard all day. Lammonby was hit on the front foot, but there was no question. “It just did enough to beat the inside edge,” said the text from the online watcher. A fair cop it seems, but it was a dismissal indicative of Somerset’s day, and of their match. Not quite at the races might have been an appropriate summary, this being Grand National weekend.

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Déjà vu – Nottinghamshire v Somerset – County Championship 2023 – 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th – Third day

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County Championship 2023. Division 1. Nottinghamshire v Somerset. 13th,14th, 15th and 16th April. Trent Bridge.

Nottinghamshire. H. Hameed, B.M. Duckett, B.T. Slater, J.M. Clarke, L.W. James, S.J. Mullaney (c),T.J. Moores (w), L.A. Patterson-White, B.A. Hutton, S.C.J. Broad, D. Paterson.

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, J.H. Davey, M.J. Leach, P.M. Siddle.

Overnight. Nottinghamshire 256. Somerset 28 for 2. Somerset trail by 228 runs with eight first innings wickets standing.

Third day 15th April – Déjà vu

On the third day, Somerset slipped further behind Nottinghamshire. The old fragilities in the top order batting re-emerged with several batters out missing or edging drives. At 87 for 8, still 179 runs in arrears, they were in the deepest of trouble even with the loss of the second day to rain. Early season déjà vu for Somerset supporters. The conditions were ideal for bowling, as they had been on the first day, and the iron discipline of Brett Hutton and Dane Paterson reaped its rewards against Somerset’s swishing bats. Only Josh Davey, batting at nine, with support from Jack Leach and Peter Siddle, kept them in the match. His innings was an object lesson in disciplined selective hitting, if against a softening ball.

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A tough examination – Nottinghaamshire v Somerset – County Championship 2023 – 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th April – Trent Bridge

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County Championship 2023. Division 1. Nottinghamshire v Somerset. 13th,14th, 15th and 16th April. Trent Bridge.

Nottinghamshire. H. Hameed, B.M. Duckett, B.T. Slater, J.M. Clarke, L.W. James, S.J. Mullaney (c),T.J. Moores (w), L.A. Patterson-White, B.A. Hutton, S.C.J. Broad, D. Paterson.

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, J.H. Davey, M.J. Leach, P.M. Siddle.

Toss. Somerset. Elected to field.

First day 13th April – A tough examination

In mid-afternoon, At 171 for 2, having been put in by Somerset, Nottinghamshire were cruising towards a commanding, perhaps match-winning, total on a pitch that looked to be offering more to bowlers than to batters. Gregory had just dismissed Haseeb Hameed, the second of Nottinghamshire’s openers, after he and Ben Duckett had put on a century opening partnership. Now, Ben Slater pulled Gregory towards the Fox Road boundary. The ball took the top edge and flew high, too high to carry the boundary, over Tom Abell at midwicket. Abell back-pedalled, feet taking short, fast steps, adjusting and re-adjusting to the flight of the ball. Abell’s eyes were locked on the ascending projectile as assuredly as any air defence radar would an incoming missile. His brain must have calculated, re-calculated, and calculated again – distance, velocity, height, rate of climb, shape of trajectory, then rate of fall. As the ball hurtled earthwards, Abell, feet making their final adjustments, leaned back, hands above head, took the ball, fell backwards in a controlled roll, emerged triumphant and was engulfed by smiling Somerset players. It was a spectacularly well-judged catch and Nottinghamshire were 171 for 3.

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A classic Somerset start – Somerset v Warwickshire – County Championship 2023 – 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th April – Taunton

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County Championship 2023. Division 1. Somerset v Warwickshire. 6th,7th, 8th and 9th April. Taunton.

The author was unable to attend the final day of this match due to travelling to London for a non-cricket-related event which takes place only once every five years over the Easter weekend. The first two days on which play was possible were attended normally. The final day was followed online, through text messages from someone who was at the match and watched subsequently on replays from the Somerset CCC live stream.

Tom Abell had not fully recovered from a winter injury but played for the second team whilst this match was in progress.

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

Warwickshire. W.M.H. Rhodes (c), E.G. Barnard, M.G.K. Burgess (c), S.R. Hain, A.L. Davies, J.G. Bethell, D.R. Mousley, R.M. Yates, O.J. Hannon-Dalby, Hasan Ali, C. Rushworth.

Overnight. Somerset 284. Warwickshire 307 for 5. Warwickshire lead by 23 runs with five first innings wickets in hand.

Final day 9th April – A classic Somerset start to the season

It only happens every five years, and always in London over the Easter Weekend. A quinquennial concert which we have attended for a quarter of a century. It has a habit of clashing with Somerset’s first match of the season. This time I missed the final day. It was one of those rare days when I have to keep up with the Somerset score from wherever I happen to be. A hardened supporter cannot not know the score. In these days of smartphones, ubiquitous internet connections and the 4G network it is easy and can be addictive. County matches can, for the truly addicted be watched on the online livestream while on the move. Not very many years ago the absent supporter would be dependent on friends to text the occasional score and before that the sporting stop press of the evening paper. It was a different world.

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Somerset out in the cold – County Championship 2023 – 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th April – Third Day

'farmer white'

County Championship 2023. Division 1. Somerset v Warwickshire. 6th,7th, 8th and 9th April. Taunton.

The author was unable to attend the final day of this match due to travelling to London for a non-cricket-related event which takes place only once every five years over the Easter weekend. The first two days on which play was possible (there was no play on the first day) were attended normally. The final day was followed online and watched subsequently on a replay of the Somerset CCC live stream.

Tom Abell had not fully recovered from a winter injury, but played for the second team whilst this match was in progress.

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

Warwickshire. W.M.H. Rhodes (c), E.G. Barnard, M.G.K. Burgess (c), S.R. Hain, A.L. Davies, J.G. Bethell, D.R. Mousley, R.M. Yates, O.J. Hannon-Dalby, Hasan Ali, C. Rushworth.

Overnight. Somerset 269 for 8.

Third day 7th April – Somerset out in the cold

This was a day in which Warwickshire’s moved ahead but perhaps lost their way a little at the end as the bitter April cold engulfed the day. But first, the unfinished business of Somerset’s first innings. As so often with a batter not out with a good score overnight, Gregory, main architect of the Somerset second-evening revival was on his way back to the Caddick Pavilion, caught at slip by Robert Yates off Chris Rushworth for 65. Peter Siddle briefly lit up Somerset’s morning with a cover and an on drive off Oliver Hannon-Dalby’s naggingly persistent pace but was soon struck on the pad and Somerset were all out for 284. Siddle 10. Jack Leach 27 not out. “Not necessarily a bad thing, those two wickets,” someone along from me in the top of the Trescothick Pavilion said, “It probably means the ball is moving.”

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Carpe Diem – Gregory and Davey sieze the day. Somerset v Warwickshire. County Championship 2023. 6th, 7th,8th and 9th April. Taunton

'farmer white'

County Championship 2023. Division 1. Somerset v Warwickshire. 6th,7th, 8th and 9th April. Taunton.

The author was unable to attend the final day of this match due to travelling to London for a non-cricket-related event which takes place once every five years over the Easter weekend. The first two days on which play was possible were attended normally. The final day was followed online as the day unfolded and with subsequent access to the Somerset CCC live stream.

Tom Abell had not fully recovered from a winter injury but played for the second team as part of his recovery whilst this match was in progress.

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

Warwickshire. W.M.H. Rhodes (c), E.G. Barnard, M.G.K. Burgess (c), S.R. Hain, A.L. Davies, J.G. Bethell, D.R. Mousley, R.M. Yates, O.J. Hannon-Dalby, Hasan Ali, C. Rushworth.

Toss. Somerset. Elected to bat.

Second day 6th April – Carpe Diem – Gregory and Davey seize the day

Easter was early this year, and the cricket season began before the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, if only just. At least it did in most of the country. At Taunton, it was delayed a day, until Good Friday. The outfield had had more than its fill of rain and the areas in front of the Trescothick and Colin Atkinson Pavilions were too wet to accommodate the scurrying feet of cricketers. There had been work on the outfield in the winter, March rainfall was more than one and a half times its normal allocation and it had taken its toll. Black sheeting covered the area in front of the Colin Atkinson Pavilion and the boundary rope had been brought in 15 metres or so to accommodate it. Sand too had been distributed over much of the outfield, was clearly visible in front of the Trescothick Pavilion and in many parts of the ground erupted in explosive puffs when a ball hit through the air touched ground. Just enough space and dryness remained to squeeze in a first-class cricket match and a pair of can-do umpires called a start with only eight overs lost from the second day.

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