Somerset
Remember THAT game against Essex...
By Grockle
May 2 2025
A 'must win' game against Essex? Not some thing that has ever happened before has it? A poor start could turn into something worse if we lose at home in this one. Craig Overton returns, Sean Dickson is injured - prossibly medium to long term and so we welcome Andy Umeed back into the line-up. We also welcome back Dean Elgar hoping he won't be a pian in our proverbial.
CC1 GAME 4 SOMERSET V ESSEX @ TAUNTON - FRIDAY 2 MAY 2025
After a time off on a mini tour, Somerset return to the County Ground with 2 draws and 2 losses to their name. None of them were particular impressive and some were very underwhelming to be really 'nice' to our efforts. The 'R' word has been seen about social media and there was even a Talksport discussion of 'what's wrong at Taunton' so the nerves are jangling.
The good news is that Craig Overton has passed the fitness test and plays (one has to hope he is fully fit to do so). Andy Umeed replaces Sean Dickson after his hand injury at the Oval. The full side is;
Vaughan, Umeed, Lammonby, Abell, Banton, Rew, Gregory, Overton, Pretorius, Davey, Leach
Somerset have won the toss and put Essex in with Craig bowling from the MT and pairing with Josh from the River. Essex face them with Elgar and Walter and after 5 overs the bats have moved it on 16 for 0 with a ball doing 'something' but nothing 'successful' presently.
Lewis Gregory takes over from Craig after 3 overs, we thought he might change ends but Josh continues at the other end and it's good that he does because he almost claims Elgar LBW - it might have been hgh but it was damn close. Gregory nearly gets Walter at the start of the next game. However, at 31 for 0 the wickets still haven't gone our way.
Craig does return at the other end for the eleventh with Essex at 33 for 0 with little luck coming to the home side. He finally gets a bit of the rub when Walter, after trying to swipe at more than one, toes one straight to Davey at mid on and it is 40 for 1 in the 14th. The new man in is Westley. The ball is shifting about the place for Lewis but the Essex bats can't get near it and so they move on towards 50. 6 overs for 15 with 2 maidens and an awful lot of "ooo's" and "aaaahs" but not success. Essex moves past 50 with Elgar on 21.
Pretorius is introduced for the 21st at 55 for 1 and he starts with a maiden. Jack starts his working day from the River for the 22nd and Alfie is already on as sub for Lewis. Spinner on at 12:30 on Day 1 of a game where you've put the opposition in on a home pitch and you have them at 1 down? Kasey is also on as Tom Lammonby may be off to get his bowling boots on?
Meanwhile Miggy P has been bringing the ball in across Elgar over a couple of overs and after nearly getting him during the early part of the 27th he gets one to move in which the Essex man misses and it is 66 for 2 with Dean out for 30 LBW Pretorius. In comes Jordan Cox and Migael asks him a lot of questions at the start of his innings.
Lunch arrives on Day 1 and Essex walk in at 81 for 2 with Cox on 10 and Westley on 13. The bowlers have done well keeping to the task. The balls have been good but the chances offered have been few and far between to be honest with probably Pretorius bowling the best of the morning attack.
Jack opens from the River after the interval with Lewis pairing with him from the pavilion. Cox and Westley are looking far too comfortable though on a pitch that has shown a little spin movement but may well flatten out before the end of this game.
The 100 arrives in the 38th with Cox on 18 and Westley on 20. The re-introduction of Davey creates the next breakthrough as he gets Westley snicking one to the bucket hands of Overton and its 115 for 3 in the 43rd and Critchley is the new man.
He then gets Cox to simply pop one up and Davey gets a second wicket as Archie catches the Essex man for 26 at 118 for 4 in the 45th. Meanwhile Jack is wheeling in with 12 overs to his name (4 maidens for 20). He has been decidely unlucky on a pitch that may favour him more than the others he has bowled on in 2025 so far.
Jack finally gets his wicket as Pepper drives at a ball and edges it straight into Craig's hands at 121 for 5. He leaves with a zero to his name and we move on as Thain joins the fight. The same pair take the next one as Critchley is LBW to Jack while the ball was caught by Craig if it wasn't straight in front. 122 for 6. In comes Harmer. In the 53rd, COve is re-introduced at the pavilion. Jack then gets Harmer plumb for 3 at 136. He really thought that one was out!! Cook arrives as the new England debutant to partner Thain on 12. This is looking a whole lot better. Jack Leach 18 overs, 7 maidens, 3 for 25.
The 150 arrives without any more Somerset excitement even though the ball is moving all over the place from the Pavilion end. Pretorius has replaced Overton and he is getting the ball to weave about as well. Unfortunately, the Essex men can't seem to get their bats on it. At 155 for 7 we go off for Tea.
After Tea we find ourselves in a common position in our games in the past few years. We can't get rid of a wagging 'tail'. There are questions as to why Lewis Gregory is bowling at the start of the third session when other bowlers have had the ball moving about all over the place, meanwhile Jack is bowling unchanged from the River end.
By the 77th over Somerset seem to have realised this is something they have to look at. At 177 for 7 Migael Pretorious is given the ball with 3 overs to go before the new ball. He has Cook dropped by Tom Abell at second slip - how enfuriating is that? Miggy P is bowling jaffas and Thain hasn't scored a run in front of square Pretorius keeps at him and he simply keeps missing them.
They take the new ball immediately. The first 3 balls of the 80th as gun barrell straight!! The fourth is a bit faster and Cook just sticks it in the air and Archie takes the catch 179 for 8 with Thain on 40. Josh Davey moves in from the River. Rajitha is the new bat. Miggy finally gets Thain to nibble at one that moves away and he goes for 41 at 180 for 9. The last man in is Porter. They then try and bounce the last man out and he flashes a four over the slip cordon before hitting another boundary straight back past Josh. The question has to be asked "should Josh be trying to bounce anyone?" as we move towards 200 at 195 for 9. Another four brings Craig Overton on at the MT but a Rajitha four brings up the 200.
Finally Overton clears up Porter with a straight one and they are finished for 206 with Porter on 19 and Rajitha on 7. The last pair put on 26.
So we lose 2 overs for the change of innings and so there are 5 overs to bat out today for this to be a decent Somerset first day for the premier time in 2025.
Archie and Andy come out with 20 minutes to hold out today. Cook opens from the MT and has Vaughan out fifth ball caught behind and it is 0 for 1 with Josh Davey coming in at number 3. Harmer has seen something at the River end and is coming on to bowl from that end. There are no more issues during his spell but at the other end 'every ball is an adventure' is the phrase from others in the Press Box as we bumble through the third. To be fair, the bats don't seem concerned - but they aren't seeing what we are so why would they be? Essex meanwhile bring in a second short fielder but Umeed is not phased. With one over to go, Davey takes most of the over and takes his score to 8. There is time for one more from Harmer which means we will have had 6 in the day which Somerset survive to fnish on 9 for 1.
A Somerset day? Well just maybe. If they make something of it tomorrow it will have been but we shall have to wait and see.
Day 2
Cook and Porter start proceedings on time on Saturday. There are three big appeals in the first two overs of the second day. This is a day when our batting has to turn up but the general impression around the place is that there are few expectations that it will be the case. Cook looks like he is up for it this morning (not surprising after an England call up) Josh Davey continues his 'nightwatchman/Number 3' batting role for the second innings in a row. The first bondary comes off the edge of Umeed's bat in the 4th over... not decisive but four runs anyway.
At 37 for 1 with 10 overs down for the day Simon Harmer is introduced from the River end. He'll be coming in from that end most of the day as Jack Leach was getting help fromthat end most of yesterday as he bowled unchanged for 30 odd overs. The Essex men obviously saw this as Harmer opened the attack last night as well. Presently Josh has 17 from 52 and Andy has 18 from 38 and the first 40 minutes has been solid withthem taking the loose shots and leaving as much as possiblw of whatever has been coming their way. There is something still in this for the seamers, it will be interesting to see what it might have to offer the Essex spinners. Harmer's first on Day 2 is a maiden.
After batting well for nearly an hour and playing well within himself, Umeed suddenly decides to go down on one knee and mow the ball across the line against Harmer. He doesn't hit the ball and is bowled for 20 at 46 for 2. A shot that makes little sense but it is an example of the 'brainfarts' that seem to inhabit all Somerset's batting line-up at some point in time or other.
In comes Tom Lammonby a man who has been know to do the same thing in 2025 and who hopefully has seen what has just happend and has been reminded that THAT is NOT what is required suring his innings today. Cook and then Porter are also threatening from the MT end and eventually Porter gets one through Davey's defene and he is bowled for 27 just after we pass 50 at 56 for 3. We've saved the 'follow on' and our all Scottish batting pair have at least got us that far. Now it is up to the 'Toms' to keep us in this game as Tom Abell joins Lammonby.
Abell is not there long as he nibbles at a Harmer ball coming across him and is caught sharply by Cox in the slips for 7 at 63 for 4. In comes Banton. The hour before lunchtime is becoming a little crucial. Rajitha comes on at the MT for the 27th and he gets movement almost immediately to worry us all. When Lammonby edges Harmer (3 for 18) to Cox again at first slip as 78 we are 5 down before the break. Lammo goes for 13 asnd Rew comes in to a familiar position once more as we struggle to bat out a session let alone a day.
And it continues as Rajitha, who has been getting some movement gets one closer to Banton than he expects. This means his attempt to swat him through the covers gets a bottom edge and he plays on to be bowled for 12 at 86 for 6 and on we go!! Gregory in before lunch on the second day. He comes out to watch his wicket keeper attempting a REVERSE SWEEP to Harmer after facing FOUR balls as the last recognised batting pair in our frontline!! We lost our second wicket today at 46 and we lost the next 4 while only adding 40. This is exactly what Essex did yesterday but we do it all the flaming time!!
We do not reach 3 figures before Rew snicks one to Pepper at 97 to retire for 9. Lewis takes us over the 100 with a four to the Gimblett as he is joined by Craig with only Migael and Jack to come. This is not a good day to follow other 'not good days' that are becoming regular home and away for the West Contry men in the red ball season of 2025.
Harmer's present figures are 16 overs 5 maidens 3 for 25 and his partner Rajitha has 5 overs 2 for 26 as we survive to the lunch break at 106 for 7 100 behind on a morning we hoped would be a hell of a lot better than this!! Essex have bowled a spell of 6 for 51 in 14.4 overs. The only good news is that Matt Henry will be available for the Sussex game though how that will solve our batting problems I have no idea. He will be with us until July 9th which gives us a little more but the issues are elsewhere presently.
After the break it does not get better as Cook returns to the MT end and has Gregory shouldering arms to a straight one and it is 108 for 8 in the 39th. Migael Pretorius comes in with a hell of a job to do and no reason to expect him to do it. He keeps expectations low by hanging his bat out to his first delivery. the 127 2010 9th wicket partnership record against Essex between Marcus and Murali Kartik is probably in no danger.
Migael looks good for a while but he goes to a truly superb piece of fielding frm Harmer off his own bowling as he takes a briliant one hander to push us to 137 for 9 and send Pretorius on his way for 24. In comes Jack looking to beat the 140 odd 10th wicket partnership from 1919 in WSM. Not on I'm afraid.
Overton looks to push on but is well caught by the mid on fielder (Cook) diving forward at 145 for 12 from his 23 balls. We are 61 behind and this is most definitely NOT where we would have wanted to be at 11pm this morning. It looked semi-promising early on but then became inevitably 'somersetian' as another batting collapse puts us in the usual position of chasing a game we ought to be solidly in because of a very poor batting performance on a wicket giving something to the bowlers buy by no means a 'less than 150' wicket. Once again we faile to get anywhere near any kind of batting bonus points and we now have to push to stay in the game before the halfway stage of the game. Not looking good.
As the sides return to the pitch for the second phase of this game Somerset would welcome and early breakthrough. They get it from Josh Davey who has Walter LBW without scoring with 3 on the board. In comes Westley. He nearly has Elgar at the end of the 7th as well though the ball did seem to come off the top of his pad and there were also questions about whether Rew got it before it hit the ground. Whatever, the umpire did not give it and Dean is still there on 20 of 32 for 1.
Dean Elgar goes at 45 for 2 as Lewis opens his account in this game with one that gets through the Essex man's defence and castles him for 23. In comes Cox with Essex 106 ahead and he dismisses his first ball to the Somerset stand boundary without too much difficulty. Jack is wheeling in from the other end and holding them below 50 with 6 overs to go before Tea.
The Essex 50 arrives in the 16th over of the innings wth Somerset looking to make getting runs a premium occupation. They've ofered up very little and byu the Tea interval the score has only moved on to 59 for 2.
After the break Migael opens from the Pavilion partnering Jack who continues from the River. The initial obective must be to look to restrict Essex to a lead of something under 250 (200 if possible though highly unlikely) They are presently 127 ahead so the home side do not have a great deal to play with as they can ill afford to see Essex get this second innings score anywhere near 200.
In the 26th over Cox calls Westley through for a quick single and Jack swoops in and breaks the stumps. Umpire Llong does not give the run out though the replay suggests it was damn close if not out. However, 72 for 2 remains 72 for 2 and the pair look too damn comfortable for the home side to be happy about this decision. Archie is introduced to spell Jack as the Essex pair move the score into the 90s and push their own partnership to 48 at 93 for 2.
Craig is brought back on at the MT to break this up and just after they pass 50 he does so having Westley LBW at 102 for 3. He goes for 26. Hope springs again as Critchley replaces his team mate. Cox is looking ominous at 37 with 19 overs to go in the day. Jack is back on now that the left hander has been dismissed to replace Archie. Cox becomes the present top scorer of the game as he reaches 43 at 118 for 3. The second innings lead is now 179 with 2 days to go in this game.
Josh Davey returns from the pavilion with 12 overs to go in the day and 125 on the scoreboard. He has only bowled 5 overs in this innings so far. At this point I go off to experience the joys of the Saturday "Park N Ride" which is nearly always excellent but after 6pm on the weekend can be 'flexible' about when and where it arrives.
I therefore miss the last 10 overs of the Day and assumed I would miss very little except more Essex scoring as Jordan Cox looked in very little difficulty as he passsed 50. In fact there was a little bit of excitement when Critchley on 28 snicked the last ball of the day from Jack Leach into the grateful hands of Gregory and Essex left the field on 163 for 4... a lead of 224 with 6 wicvkets left and 2 days to put this game into the 'you can't win this' territory before asking us sometime today to bat the game out for the draw.
If the first happens I really struggle to see how Somerset manage to do the second presently. However, a spirited first session and some early middle and tail wickets might change the mood and give us something to look forward to on Bank Holiday Monday.
Day 3
Jack Leach starts the second half of the game from the River End with Cox on 61 from 108 and Pepper facing his first ball. He provides the first maiden of the day and is partnered by the Somerset captain from the pavilion. Cox cuts the second ball (loose half volley) to get the score moving, He does the same to the 4th ball and in between Lewis bowls his first no ball of the day. Got to be much much tighter guys!!
The Essex 200 arrives in the 60th over and we are still bowling Gregory and Leach though neither seem to be causing the batting pair any real trouble and Jordan Cox is eyeing a ton as he moves towads the 90s. Preently Essex are scoring at 5 an over so expect Someret to be in facing before the lunch break with about 300 to score to win. Many believe the visitors already have enough.
Finally after 9 or 10 overs the home side introduce Craig at the pavilion to Cox who moves to 92 with a first ball boundary. The Essex pair move to a 50 partnership this morning from 55 balls and there is a feeling of inevitability seeping into this game. A side with low morale is looking down the barrell of another game they presently haven't really turned up for with the bat and will soon be asked to play out of their skins to save a result.
Cox runs for a single to take him to 99 but he's imediately gasps his side as he starts to take the run and almost doesn't make it to the crease. He rolls in and is on his back in what looks like considerable pain.. The physio is on and Jordan Cox may not be able to bat on. Looks like he is going to stay on though.
The lead goes over 300 as Pepper helps one down the legside to the Botham boundary to move the visitors on to 240 for 4. C to go to 103 with a slog sweep from a Jack delivery. 155 balls and 16 fours. He faces the next ball and then sensibly retires with his side at 246 for 4. He won't have to bat again anyway so his game is probably done... one wonders whether he as also lost his chance to play inthe Zimbabwe Test as well. Meanwhile Thain replaces him and on we go towards the lunch break.
At the 70th we finally turn to Miggy B to get something going and he obliges getting Pepper LBW with the first ball of the 72nd after the bat has just pushed the Exssx score over the next boundaary at 252 for 5 (for 36). It's not much but it's something and it brings in Harmer. He is not finished because he has Thain caught behind by Rew with the last ball of the 74th over as well. 253 for 6 with Cook joining his spinner.
The South African gets Cook to hang it up and it takes an age for it to arrive n Umeed's hands in front of the defunct CA scoreboard. 255 for 7 Cook goes for 2 and Pretorius takes his third today. WHY did he take so long to get the ball? We allowed them to push 50 runs before we tried any kind of variation and now the variation has 3 for 33 from his 3 overs today.. Not all the runs (he added 5) but ALL the wickets.
Harmer is caught by Vaughan off Leach after 78.4 overs at 12:45. Somerset need 321 to win this game or they have 5 and a bit sessions to face the opposition down. It looks like there will be overs before the lunch break Davey was not used in this innings and we noticed he only bowled 5 overs before a little run in at the end of Day 2. Rumours that he was holding his hamstring are unverified.
We have 68 overs to face today. Umeed and Vaughan come out to face. It might only be one before the break. Cook will start from the Trescothick. The first defensive stroke is as solid as a rock. Second one? Not so much. He's a safe as houses and they go off for the break at 0 for 0.
Porter (River) and Cook (MT) get us underway for the afternoon session and after 12 balls there is no change in the score. There is no info coming out of Essex with regards to Mr Cox's injury. He is certainly not keeping. Nick Pepper is wearing the gloves. Just before the end of the 4th over, Porter gets Umeed fishing at one which he just guides to Harmer at second slip and we are 0 for 1 once again with Tom Lammonby in familiar territory. In the 6th over Tom gets the scoreboard moving with a car park boundary on the Caddyshack side. It's 19 balls before Archie joins his partner courtesy of a Somerset stand boundary off Cook. But the fourth ball of the same over is just punched into the air and is an easy catch for the sub Snater. Archie departs for 4.
Tom Abell replaces him at 8 for 2. Those two departures were both watched by Jamie Cox, Andy Hurry, Jason Ker and Vic Marks all sitting on the balcony of the Caddyshack. Oh to be a fly on that wall :-)
Vic is replaced by Marcus as Somerset move cautiously towards 50 for 2. We get there in the 21st with a Tom Lammonby glance down to the Hildreth stand boundary. Abell has 17 from 46 and TL has 29 from 46 but at 30 Tom Lammonby misses one and is LBW at 54 for 3
In comes Tom Banton and he waits a bit until getting off the mark with a flipped 4 to the Gimblett. There are 12 overs to the Tea interval and that is the next objective of the home side. Three figures would be good but unless it is witout another loss of wickets that can wait.
Essex are following the Somerset method, they are bowling Harmer from the River end and varying spells from Rajitha (presently) Porter and Cook from the pavilion. We are treating all of them with caution.
Then Harmer bowls Tom Abell off a leading edge for 29 at 71 for 4. The professional view was it was a 'beast' of a ball that you could have only survived by sweeping it.
Banton does reverse sweep a four off Harmer at the start of the 30th. He then tries to do it again and is caught by Elgar off Harmer, it was probably off his hand. He responded with a questioning look to the umpire - he might be reported for that. It's 78 for 5 and we are 7 overs from Tea. Lewis Gregory arrives to partner James Rew on what does seem like a hopeless mission to try and save a game they are 243 runs adrift of with only half the wickets left.
We made it to Tea (32 overs left) 91 for 5 with Rew on 3 from 18 and Gregory 11 from 26. Odds on Somerset getting to the end of Day 3?
Ater Tea Porter opens from the MT and the 100 arrives in the 38th. Rew hits the boundary twice and his skipper adds another four in the first few balls. But what is the long term plan one wonders? Well the next target is achieved as the runs needed is less than 200 at 122 for 5 and at the end of the 43rd. The pair have passed the 50 partnership (from 81 balls) and moved the score on to 130 for 5 with Rew on 23 from 37 and Gregory 26 from 49.
The 150 arrives in the 48th with 20 overs to go tonight. Lewis has moved to 38 from his 69 balls being ably supported by Rew with 32 from 45.
Lewis goes to 50 from 80 (73 minutes and 7 fours) and movers his side to 171 for 5 we also need 150 to now win this game. It's the hope that gets ya!!! There are 17 overs left tonight!!
The 100 partnership arrivees at 178 (137 balls) and whatever happens this is a great effort by these two players
It ends at 179 for 6 as Greogry chops on from a long way out and is bowled for 57 by Rajitha. In comes Craig Overton. A couple of wafts to the seam guy doesn't exactly fill the supporters with loads of new hope. But he doesn't hit them so....
On we move. With 6 overs to go Cook and Critchley are working hard to finish this game off while Overton (3 from 24) and Rew (50 from 90 balls with 10 fours) are moving the total ever closer. The 200 arrives with all that.With 3 overs to go in the day and 209 for 6 the score, Essex re-introduce their last fling with Simon Harmer coming back into the attack. He will therefore bowl 2 of the last 3 overs
So we have the last over with Rew facing Harmer. A major run out mistake. Overton is way down the pitch but they throw the ball and the fielders miss it and we get 4 overthrows instead. Shoud have been out I'm afraid. That made absolutely no sense. But the excitment ends with Somerset on 216 for 6 They need 105 with Rew on 65 from 115 and Overton with 4 off 34.
It is still on tomorrow - and few would have been saying that at the start of play today.
Yep It's DAY 4
So here we are. Few would have expected this to be the case after Saturday but the fightback yesterday showed that our batting can find a spine when required. The situation today is. Essex need 4 wickets (from Rew, Overton, Davey, Pretorius and Leach). Somerset need 105 runs for a momentous victory. It could be over in 15 minutes or it could be done just after lunch. These are games you have to be at. It's very cold around the place - Northerly wind it seems. Bright and clear with no chance of weather interferring which is also a good thing. The game will be decided by te people on the pitch and that is definitely the way it should be.
Cook to Overton starts the day and he's past the bat with ball 1 but Craig decreases the deficit by 1 with ball 3. The other thing to mention is that we have 96 overs today if we feel like batting out for the draw. Rew is also off the mark with the last ball of the first over. Harmer, not surprisingly, comes on at the River end as has been the policy for both sides durng most of this game. In the 69 overs of this inning for instance he has already bowled 28 overs.
In the 71st over Somerset take the runs needed figure under the 100 and by the end of that one the 50 partnership arrives (from 110 balls - slow but steady) and they need 90 at 231 for 6. Another Harmer LBW appeal is turned down - another close one to be honest but COve survives.
Rajitha is first change after 6 overs, He replaces Cook at the Pavilion as we slowly move towards 250. which arrives in the 77th over off a jammy leg glance from Rew. It also takes him to 89.
Now we have the last movement of this game as Essex take the new ball in the 81st over and give it to Sam Cook to try and do some damage. Somerset need 63.... Game ON!!
Nothing comes from the first as Porter replaces spin at the River. The have halved the total needed this morning as they move to 269 at the end of the 82nd. After the 83rd the runs required drops below 50 to 49!! With the second ball of the 84th and after facing 161 balls James Rew goes to his 10th first class hundred with 16 fours and by the end of the over the score is 276 for 6 with 3 runs needed for the 100 partnership between these two who have batted with massiver maturity to keep their county in this game.
That partnership is reached at 280 with Rew on 102 from 164 and Overton on 24 from 68. In response Essex return Harmer to the arena in what might be a last act to try and affect this game with his guile. He certainly ripped the last new ball during a period when he was pretty much unplayable for a few overs.
To illustrate the quality of the Overton over, in the 88th over of the game with 27 to his name, the Somerset bowler hits his first boundary. His defence has been solid and his support of his partner has been excellent. Rajitha replaces Cook at the MT end. He has been getting quite a bit of movement during his spells and they maybe hope there is still enough life for a change of fortunes.
In the 90th over of the innings with 22 needed for a very surprising victory Rew hits a four to take the score over 300 and the runs needed under 20. We think that Rew is the youngest player to 10 first class tons since Compton but it isn't verified. Meanwhile a flurry of runs has taken the runs needed to 10.
Just when it looks all over Harmer gets on to fool Rew and he is out for 116 LBW - a masterful innings but you do start to wonder. In comes Migael Pretorius. They obviously think "send in the man in form". He looks to take a couple of singles but the crowd are nervous. Then Craig dirves a 4 to the Botham and we as within 2. So... what do you do then? Go to a 111 ball 50 with a six and win the game.
A poor game that turned into something absolutely brilliant and we win it by 3 wickets!!
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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2025:05:10:18:15:50 by Grockle.
We really, really need to turn up for this one.
[somersetcountycc.co.uk]
Grizzers
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:05:01:15:00:05 by Grockle.
We've tried that before and it doesn't tend to work. He may pull out a good first innings performance but then will be nothing in the second and then the next game is doubtful.
The problem is that, as many have identified for a long time now, we have little or no 'depth' and those we have pulled in to be 'depth' haven't performed when called up.
We've sent Ben Green and Jake Ball off to get some cricket and we've used Kasey Aldridge and Alfie Ogborne. That hasn't worked yet though I'm hoping Alfie will click into place.
I'm personally losing faith in a consistent Kasey and seeing the cracks starting to appear in Craig and Josh on a longer term basis
The fragility of Lewis is also a problem but he is putting in a decent level of work when used. Thank God for the workhorse that is Pretorius at the moment.
Not holding out much hope for tomorrow I'm afraid. But praying that I'm wrong.
It's a bit of a mess and I still don't see Matt Henry having any real influecne on our 2025 4 day performances.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:05:01:18:35:45 by Grockle.
As for the Jake Ball saga I have no issue with loans but not to a division 1 rival in Durham. Jake is experienced and without Craig may have been useful to us.
On Matt Henry we can’t pin our hopes solely on him being fully fit and winning us a couple of games. Kerr was quoted when interviewed after play by Gibson on day 3 at Hove saying there were no bowlers available. Can’t remember his exact words. To me that is complacency, laziness and unacceptable. Durham and Essex recruited replacements overseas players.
Craig is on the list so one should assume he'll play
The rest?;
Vaughan, Umeed, Lammonby, Abell, Banton, Rew, Gregory, Overton, Davey, Pretorius, Leach.
Somerset won the toss and are fielding on an absolutely gorgeous day.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:05:02:10:41:07 by Grockle.
Hoping we can get into them this afternoon before the pitch flattens out.
Grizzers
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Tom Westley ct Craig Overton bld Josh Davey, lifting ball from Josh
Simon Harmer lbw Jack Leach
Sam Cook ct Archie Vaughan bld Migael Pretorius.
Paul Walter ct Josh Davey bld Craig Overton
Matt Critchley lbw Jack Leach
Jordon Cox. - it looked bit odd, it looks like he was trying to kick the ball away when the ball wasn't there.
Jordon Cox ct Archie Vaughan bld Josh Davey
Jamie Porter bld Craig Overton
Dean Elgar. - Fielders waiting for an edge that didn't come.
A good day for Somerset pity about the wicket of Archie.
It doesn't help when your captain comes in after we have lost 4 for 40 to watch his young wicket keeper try and reverse sweep the fourth ball he has faced from the spinner who has taken 3 of the wickets.
You do sometimes despair!!!
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Tom Banton bld Kasun Rajitha
Tom Banton 4 runs. - does he play too many big shots?
Josh Davey bld Jamie Porter
James Rew ct Michael Pepper bld Kasun Rajitha
Dean Elgar bld Lewis Gregory
Andrew Umeed bld Simon Harmer
Tough day tomorrow me things.
A few of our batting line up are going to have a big opportunity in their 2nd dig to show what they are really capable of.
It's beyond time we showed a bit of grit.
Grizzers
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
We’ve given ourselves a chance, albeit a small one on this pitch. That’s great - hope to see some steel, resolve and plenty of runs from out top seven now.
Time to invoke the spirit of last year’s home game v Surrey.
The rest of the day (& hopefully tomorrow) may well define our red ball season.
Come on lads - fight the good fight !
Grizzers
Sorry to say not all that many today, I could only stay until lunch, I only took four so I will post all four.
Banton wicket looked like it came off the pad, the umpire must have thought it hit the inside edge of the bat first.
Michael Pepper off Jack Leach
Michael Pepper 4 runs
Jordan Cox
Jordan Cox lbw shout not given
Will there be cricket tomorrow!
Tomorrow morning is going to be a heck of a challenge, but our tail is not without batting merit, so let's hope we push Essex very close.
Or preferably win !
Grizzers
How often have we said that the first hour of a new day's play will be crucial...
Unrelated to cricket, but it's disappointing to learn that Jack Draper has just lost his first clay court final - but somebody needs to tell him he would look a more serious player if he put his cap on the right way round.
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Instead I'm just about to get on the bike into Taunton, and I can't wait! This is why First Class cricket is the best, because it really, really matters. This may be not just a season-defining morning, but a Club-defining one. We've taken it for granted that Somerset will always be in Division One, because we've been there for such an extraordinary length of time. But it's crucial for the club to remain there, because otherwise the best a County like Somerset can hope for after relegation these days is yo-yo status. And relegation is a real possibility if we get out of this match with just three points.
This is a huge morning. So, James and Craig, whatever happens, just please make sure you leave nothing out there on the pitch.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:05:05:10:07:53 by That Bloke With The Dog.
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Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
And Rew has not played a home match this season without scoring a century - he now has ten of them and he's still only 21.
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Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Yet only the ECB could arrange matters so that- after such a breath-taking and brave victory - non-fashionable Somerset, along with equally unfashionable Durham, are the two Division 1 teams who don`t play again for a fortnight.
Mustn`t allow them to gain any momentum.
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
I was out last night but when I checked the score on Cricinfo I read it as 9 wickets down (I was tired and had my distance glasses on) so thought it was all over.
Had I read it properly I'd have watched it online this morning.
Great result, and that James Rew's got a bit of a record already. I saw him in the Worcs match and he looks like a very good keeper too.
Result!
Essex will wonder how on earth they lost that game, but they’ve only themselves to blame, especially the missed run out last evening.
As for Somerset, that surely reinvigorates our season and hopefully replaces all the negative energy sucked out of us in the opener v Worcs., when 200 overs in a failed attempt to bowl them out in two days was a massive downer and I’m sure was responsible in part at least for what followed in the subsequent three games.
We have much to do to get back to our very best, but today was a massive step forward.
Credit also to the grounds team who took a lot of stick after the Worcs game. Although the pitch was very green at the start, they produced a strip that allowed a terrific battle to take place.
Finally, special thanks to Don Topley who gloated before start of play yesterday that Somerset should “pad up and pray”. Which remark I suspect he’ll regret for some considerable time !
Grizzers
Essex fine attack were nullified by z combination of a dying pitch and some very determined batting from our middle and lower order .
I don’t mind the week off either. Time to bask, rest and prepare.
Finally a word for Migael. He is proving to be much more than just a fill-in bowler. 17 wickets already and such fun every time he comes out to bat.
End of match winning scoreboard.
James Rew and Craig Overton hugging after winning the match – photo focused on the crowd.
Craig congratulating James Rew on his 100 runs
End of match hand shakes.
Craig Overton 100 partnership with James Rew
Craig Overton match winning six.
Craig Overton hitting a straight 4 runs.
Honestly I didn't think we would win this when Essex was batting in their second innings.
CONGRATULATIONS SOMERSET ON YOUR WIN
![[:wor kid:]](/phorum-5.1.15/mods/smileys/images/13.gif "[:wor kid:]")
We have enough petulant manbabies online nowadays.
To be fair he has been back on the page to write a pretty gracious response after the game but having dealt with social media for a while now, I have to say that although it is decent of him, if he hadn't posted the comment in the first place he would not have had to come on afterwards. Had the game gone a different way, we would have seen neither hide nor hair of Don Topley today
You do it on the pitch. I didn't think we had it this year. I was very very wrong. THAT was a real performance from players with guts and determination and |I was privileged to see it live. It's games like this you remember. Someone pointed out that our first win last season was by 3 wickets.... and against Essex.
10 days off and then we go again with Matt Henry in the squad. Things is looking up
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:05:05:16:44:37 by Grockle.
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Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
It's Dennis Compton - 20 years 353 days
James Rew - 21 years 114 days
So he's not the youngest of all but he is the yougest since 1939!!!
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Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Priceless
[farmerwhite.co.uk]
Farmer
It was a soul enriching occasion and after the Gregory and Rew heroics on day three it did always suggest that there was something on the air!!
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Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE guys " Take all the learnings..."
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Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
How can we play so superbly on occasions like this, yet the exact opposite on rather too many occasions ? Such is the conundrum that is Somerset CCC.
Hopefully the cricketing pendulum has now swung decisively in favour of the former.
Grizzers
Think I did it this morning so sorry to anyone wanting to comment.
Found thie on Youtube from the Taksport people - not a great fan of the way they do these - the audio is a bit poor but George Dobell who was there for Day 1 has some stuff about the pitch and the case of not picking Bash as a spinning option
It's the start of the piece so not a lot to struggle through. I'll provide the link and you can use it or not.
TalkSport: Do Somerset rate Bash?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:05:07:22:54:00 by Grockle.
[farmerwhite.co.uk]
Farmer
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