By Grockles
July 26 2002

51 from Matt Wood didn't keep the batting line-up together and we are a long way behind with a lot of time to go. Trego and Holloway have to put on quite a partnership to save this game...winning? Don't think so!

WEST INDIES A @ TAUNTON JULY 24 2002

DAY ONE

DAY TWO

DAY THREE

It looked good to start with but it didn't stay that way unfortunately.   Wood and Edwards were in the sixties from the night before at the start of this second day and needed to establish a good platform for the more experienced members of the line-up.  It didn't really happen, although a 60 plus starting partnership is not to be sneezed at.

Only three were added before King ended that partnership with the wicket of Edwards for 31.  From then it was pretty regular.  Piran Holloway didn't worry the West Indies long as Lawson had him caught for a mere 4.  Parsons run in the longer game with the bat did not get any better and he was on his way back to the dressing room 9 minutes later for 3.  Somerset at 84 for 3.  This became 91 for 4 when Arul Suppiah did not impress with the bat, making 1 run off the 5 balls he faced before he was skittled out by King.  Dutch made 6 before he gave King his third wicket and when Matt Wood became the 6th wicket down just after making his 50, the chance of passing the tourist's total had gone.  116 for 6.

Wes Durston and Carl Gazzard did put up some resistance, adding 38 before Durston was run out and Gazzard followed after only another run had been added at 155.  Rose helped add 23 but Bulbeck went for 5 and Trego was left not out with a full score of 183 giving the A side a lead of 187 and a lot of time left.

It wasn't great.  Then again, they were playing against Carribean pace.  Reon King took 4 for 48 from his 19, Lawson 3 for 33 and Benn and Powell took one each.   It was sad to see that the more established group of players contributed very little with the bat - with the notable exception of Matt Wood whose 51 was by far the highest score.

Back into the field and needing to get wickets early.  Matt Bulbeck provided at 30 when he bowled Chris Gayle for 17 and when Dutch had Smith for 29 witht he score on 67 it looked good because these two were certainly problems in the first innings.   Unfortunately Hinds remembered his poor showing in the first spell and was determined not to do it again.  He added 51 with Morton before Parsons had the latter LBW and another 59 with Bravo before he went for 75 to Durston - the first debutant wicket - at 177 for 4. Breese went quickly to Suppiah - his first first class wicket - but Bravo made hay with the tail and when he had made 77 and Benn went for 2, Hinds declared at 266 for 7 - the overnight score.  266 plus 187 gave us a total of 453 with a day to get it.  It's not going to happen against this attack with our batting line-up.   Making it to the close and getting the draw will be a considerable achievement.

Day 3 Lunch...

It's not looking good.  Wood went for 12 to King and although Edwards put on 57 with Holloway, he went in the morning session for 27 to Powell.  At lunch, Peter Trego (15) and Piran Holloway (38) are still there and we've passed the 100.   102 for 2 and a long way to go.  It's down to the older guys to batten down the hatches and dig in....don't you just like cliches?