v Yorkshire TSL2 @ Taunton Sunday 14 August 2005

After the washout of yesterday, welcome to the 45 over version. Richard Johnson is in for Andy Caddick (no idea why this is)  as Woody and Frank Junior start our innings when Yorkshire put us in.

It goes well too, John Francis needs some runs and gets a few as he and the VC push the score past 50 in the first 9 before his eyes get too big for his belly and he holes out in the deep near the River stand. By 10 we have 58 in the bag and Arul has joined Matt

Arul is motoring as well and it is he who smites one to the boundary to take us past 150 and bring up the 100 partnership at 154 in the 25th.

On the day that Banger passes 5000 Test runs, Matt passes 50 at 99 for 1 in the 16th and we pass 100 four balls later. Wood looks in fine fettle these days - maybe he should replace Mr. Strauss and make it a Somerset/England opening partnership? One day perhaps!

Unfortunately, Arul's contribution ends one run later when he is stumped 5 short of his half ton. Ian Blackwell to the crease please.

But it's Matt who continues to impress as he storms to his maiden one day century off 80 balls. 193 for 2 in the 31st. 42 is the partnership and IB has only 15. 200 up with 14 overs to go and White must be wondering why he decided to field. He must also hate the sights of Matt with a bat in his hand!

Then Blackie starts to go mad, hitting 50 off 31 with 2 sixes and adding another 12 off the next 3 balls he faces. 255 with 9 overs to go. The 100 partnership also arrives at 36.2, just before they drop him close in and continue their torture. 260 at 37. Another error as Dahwood misses the ball, Blackwell runs, the keeper throws a the bowler's end and we get another as he misses. The wheels are falling off.

Blackwell keeps them spinning but Matt leaves the fight to him when he goes for 129 at 292. That's 326 in two innings - awesome.

His captain hasn't stopped though and with James Hildreth takes us past 300 in the 40th. He moves his own score to 96 with yet another massive 6 and then boundaries to bring up another 100 in 55 balls with 4 sixes and 10 fours. 323 for 3 and only the second time in Somerset history that we've had two centuries in a one dayer - the first here (the other was Neath with one Jimmy Cook )!

Will we pass 350? We have 323 with 12 balls to go and Blackie skies the second ball into the graveyard and with the forth he tries to take Phil Frost's head off. Unfortunately he is bowled off the first ball of the 45th for 114 and Keith Parsons arrives at 339 for 4. Blackwell's second 50 came off 24th balls - he's slacking! We rush a few and finish on 345! Another home highest score in this competition. An absolutely stunning batting display.

The Yorkshire openers are Jacques (of blessed memory) and the other MJ Wood.  Facing them, Charl Langeveldt  and Richard Johnson - back from injury and raring to go hopefully.  It seems an even contest as the Tykes go aff at 7 an over and we don't really keep them in check as the 50 comes up at the start of the 7th over.  It becomes such a problem that Keith Parsons is brought on to bowl the 9th but fares no better really as Yorkshire go to 72 off the first 10 (still behind the run rate unbelievably.

Simon Francis opens his account at the start of the 14th and it isn't a particularly good start as his fourth ball is sixed and they go to three figures - too many boundary deliveries Simon, I am afraid.  But no-one else is doing particularly well either and Cap'n Blackwell turns to spin by bowling himself from the River End for the 15th, after Matt Wood mark 2 has gone to 50 off only 51 balls with Jacques not far behind him. It's all a bit worrying really!

Wood has taken a liking to us but gets carried away and scoops one to James Hildreth with 121 up.  Lumb arrives and smacks a four off his first.  It's 132 with 17 overs down bringing Richard Johnson back on to partner his captain and the boss  immediately gets Jacques - the danger man LBW at 141.

The next bowler attempting to stem the run fest is Wes Durstonwho is introduced for the 19th and sees his third ball fly over the Old Pavilion from McGrath - the 150 comes up with that towering shot.  But he is bowled quite soon after by our glorious leader and it's 157 for 3 - a single figure over as well, as rare as rocking horse droppings!

Langeveldt  returns at the OP for the 22nd and he looks good, pacy and tight and the "Press" is most definitely on.  It isn't helped however when Hildreth drops a real skier from White at 171 - it was up a long time and seemed to swirl at the last moment but he should have had it.  Wes returns and saves the day as Lumb flips one to Hilda in the next over and all is well in the Somerset camp once more!  It is 176 for 4 and they are still in the hunt, we need wickets but they are still in touch with the score although it is getting harder for them - you wouldn't think so though!  With 20 overs to go they need 164 - 8.2 an over, higher than the start but still gettable on this strip.

Charl is still making waves though as he puts in another over which goes for 2 and is at another level of pace.  he is starting to look good. Blackie turns to his third spin option and gives the ball to Arul Suppiah who they are suing more and more in these important roles.  Arul doesn't disappoint as he gets Pyrah second ball trying to sweep and flipping a high one to Gazzard.  Dawood is next to the crease and the final instalment of this topsy turvy match begins as Yorkshire home in on the target.

The 200 run point is passed in the 30th and we are still trying to get control of the run rate.  The Tykes add 22 in the next two including a towering six that rebounds off the radio shack window followed by a mighty four to the shop.  Although they don't seem to be able to get Suppiah away, they seem to have little trouble with everyone else.  We turn back to Simon Francis who was not impressive with his first spell but he bowls a much better line and length and at a much improved level of pace.  Lumb succumbs ball 4 and is gaught by Ian Blackwell 231 for 6.

But Dawood is not to be denied and goes to 50 off not a lot (well below 40 balls).  It doesn't last though and he dies trying to put one into the cemetary but managing to put it into the hands of Keith Parsons instead.  We needed that one because he was going for it. 287 for 7.  They need 58 off 5 and Richard Johnson nearly has the new man C&B in the 40th, a difficult chance. CL is still steaming in, and gets his just desserts when he bowls Dawson with the last ball of the 42nd 2 runs short of 300.  The 300 arrives but Bresnan nearly puts an end to Yorkshire resistance as he deposits an attempted six into the ever present hands of KP who has moved to in front of the Botham stand.  304 for 9 needing 36 off 2 overs and with only one wicket left.  This has to be it surely?

Frank Senior takes the penultimate over after a much better second spell with Blaine and Kruis pushing at everything.  Kruis is caught by Gazzard just before the end of the over ...but it is a no ball and we go into the last with the visitors needing 23 to win.  Up steps Blackwell  to bowl it.

A captain taking his side home.  The first ball suggests so because it is a dot and they have to hit boundaries.  But we seem to have forgotten about the striking power of Kruis.  We also seem to have forgotten that it it boundaries we are defending as we still have an infield, no sweepers and others sitting is static boundary fielding positions.  So Kruis punishes us.  A six bouncing off the boundary boards down in the River corner is followed by a four to the other side of the ground.  Then another one before it seems to become obvious that they can score anything but a boundary!  It doesn't stop Kruis who smacks another one to the boards and they need 5 off the last ball.

Can you believe this?  685 runs in 80 overs and it comes down to the last ball with a batsman who has just hit four boundary shots in a row.  A no ball and four or a six and they win!  Blackwell bowls.  And this time he gets it right.  Kruis can't find a way through and they only manage 2.  We win by 3 runs...absolutely amazing game - and probably the right result.  Never do anything easily when hard is possible!!

It was great to watch but I'm not sure it fills me with massive confidence.  Yes, it was a batting wicket.  Yes, we batted magnificently on it.  BUT we struggled to defend the highest total ever produced at home in one of these.

Charl Langeveldt was the real deal today.  Fast, dangerous and in the batsman's face.  But the pick today was Arul Suppiah who they really couldn't fathom at all.  He pulled the rate down and pushed them into a corner.  Ian B did well...before he went for 20 off his last.  Richard Johnson still lacks pace and Francis lacks penetration, although his second spell promised much more.  We still have bowling problems - but at least they have something to defend these days!!

Good win, great game but why do we always go to the wire?

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