Somerset Rothesay County Championship Div 1 at County Ground Taunton Draw 12 pts

 

02/07

A bird-brained idea playing with the Kookaburra ball

Day 4

ANOTHER ROB KEY SPONSORED BORE

Tom Kohler-Cadmore ensures Somerset draw with an unbeaten 147 

Notts dropped to second place in the championship table after obtaining a 12 point Kookaburra draw at Taunton today. Despite Notts picking up two wickets in the opening 9.4 overs of the day, Somerset, led by an unbeaten 147 (off 196 balls, 11x4, 6x6) from Tom Kohler-Cadmore, easily saved the game. When hands were shook at 16:50 Somerset stood at 238-4 off 75 overs leading by 138 runs with all 4 wickets to Liam Patterson-White.

Abbas (Trescothick End) and Patterson-White shared the new ball. The slow left armer getting the ball to bounce and spin twice considerably in his opening over. Dickson was cemented to his crease and was all at sea against Patterson-White and it was no surprise when LPW had him lbw for 6; 18 for 2 in the 7th over. Lammonby pulled a long hop from Patterson-White to Farhan at deep square leg.  A terrible dismissal ; 28 for 3 after 10 overs. Notts suddenly had a chance of winning.

Things changed pretty quickly. Farhan came on for the 11th over. Kohler-Cadmore targeted the 17-year-old hitting him for huge straight sixes in the 14th and 16th overs respectively. The 50 partnership was achieved with a third straight enormous six by Kohler-Cadmore off Farhan in the 20th over. Somerset were now only 50 behind and with the bounce off the pitch much less pronounced any spin now from the wicket was far less dangerous.

After 5 overs for 35 Farhan was taken off and on came Hutton for his first bowl of the innings. Kohler-Cadmore inside edged a streaky single off Hutton to reach his 50 off 60 balls in the 26th over. Abbas came back for the 28th over and Somerset reached three figures via a single for Rew. Somerset at lunch time were 112 for 3 after 31 overs with Kohler-Cadmore on 56 and Rew on 38. The game heading for a draw.

Abbas  and Patterson-White were reunited straight after lunch. In the 35th over, Rew (43) top edged a sweep shot from  Patterson-White and Clarke caught the chance at fine leg, 124 for 4 off 35 overs. Still a slim hope.

Abell came in. From this point onwards the game slowly shut down as neither batsman looked in any real trouble. A lofted straight four by Kohler-Cadmore off Patterson-White saw Somerset take the lead for the 39th over. Abbas bowled a good testing spell and then made way for Hutton. McCann came on for the 46th over. A drag down by Patterson-White saw Kohler-Cadmore hit him for six over mid-wicket in the 47th over. Farhan returned for the 52nd over. A lofted four through mid-wicket off Farhan saw Kohler-Cadmore to his 100 off 139 balls in the 54th over. James came on from the River End for a two pre-tea spell from the 61st over. Somerset reached tea on 197 for 4 off 63 overs with Kohler-Cadmore on 115 and Abell on 19. The game well and truly dead.

Kohler-Cadmore hit Patterson-White for a straight six in the 65th over. After a 35 over spell from the River End, Patterson-White (4-104) made way for Farhan who Kohler-Cadmore slogged swept for six over square leg. Haynes came on for the 74th over bowling off spin, his first bowl in first class cricket and went for a single. Kishan, also bowling off-spin, bowled the final over of the game with Clarke behind the stumps – one last run scored. Abell grafted for 126 balls for his unbeaten 24. Kookaburra 1 Cricket 0.

Both teams had grafted hard for four days and neither gave much away, but should cricket come to this? 1,126 runs for 24 wickets at 3.15 RPO. But it could have been worse. Just look at the events at The Oval. Maybe the championship should be decided by a golf buggy race. Over to you Mr Key. MAG

01/07 Day 3

HAYNES' BEST IS TOP OF THE CLASS, ON ANOTHER SCHOOLS DAY

Notts go into the last day at Taunton with some hope of an unexpected victory with Somerset trailing by 126 runs with 9 second innings wickets still standing.

On a predominantly cloudy and much cooler day. Leach and Vaughan started the day off in tandem. Slater and Haynes were dealing mainly in singles. In the 7th over of the morning, Slater (124 off 245 balls, 14x4) edged Leach to keeper Rew; 235 for 4 in the 78th over. The new ball was taken at 238 for 4 off 80 overs. Henry went for 13 off its first over, a four through the covers by Kishan was followed up three balls later with a pulled six by the Indian towards long leg. Leach was Henry's new ball partner. Notts though made steady progress against the new cherry. In the 90th over, we witnessed some more over celebration from the Somerset team who tried to convince umpire Llong that Haynes had edged behind to Rew off Leach when on 60, the umpire would have none of it. Haynes found the offside and legside ropes off successive balls in Overton’s first bowl of the day in the 93rd over. It became a double bowling change with Vaughan replacing Leach for the following over. In the 100th over, Kishan hit Vaughan for six over extra cover. In the last over before lunch Overton went for 10 runs, two boundaries for Kishan who reached his 50 in 83 balls. Notts on 322 for 4 off 103 overs at the interval with Haynes on 81 and Kishan on 53.

Aldridge and Vaughan were bowling straight after lunch. In the 108th over, Kishan was dropped on 60 by keeper Rew diving low to his right off Aldridge - a difficult chance. Some poor cricket from Notts saw them miss a vital batting point with Kishan playing back five consecutive dot balls from Aldridge in the 110th over. The Indian not appearing to know the intricacies of the county championship bonus points structure. Notts 347 for 4 off 110 overs. Haynes reached his 100 off 176 balls with a four off a full toss from Aldridge which went towards mid-wicket in the 112th over. Leach returned and his first two balls were cover driven for four by Kishan. In the 118th over a ball into the rough by Leach spun in and Kishan (77 off 128 balls; 8x4, 2x6) was caught at short leg (Abell) off his pad, 373 for 5 off 118 overs. The 5th wicket had added 138 in 40 overs. An edged four by James off Leach in the 120th over brought the scores level. A single four balls later by James meant Notts took the lead. Lammonby came on for the 123rd over bowling left arm seamers and attempted a bouncer barrage but he proved ineffective in his four over spell – James hitting two boundaries off him in the 125th over. Notts got to 400 in the 127th over with a single by Haynes off Lammonby. Aldridge and Henry returned with five overs until tea. Haynes pulling and cutting Overton for successive fours in the 131st over. Notts got to the second interval on 431 for 5 off 135 overs with Haynes on 128 and James on 34.

Henry and Overton bowled straight after tea. James got to his 50 off 87 balls with a single off Overton in the 147th over. Leach returned for the 148th over and Haynes reached his maiden first-class 150 off 287 balls with a swept three off Leach. Notts were to lose their last 5 wickets for 31 runs in 14 overs, Leach in particular getting a lot of turn. Haynes (157 of 295 balls; 17x4, 2x6) going for another sweep shot fell lbw to Leach, 478 for 6 in the 150th over. A career best knock for Haynes beating his 142 versus Essex at Trent Bridge earlier this season. If it was Slater who built the platform of the innings then Haynes’ knock had set up a substantial lead with valuable support from Kishan and James.

Vaughan came back for the following over. Patterson-White was stumped by Rew off Vaughan for 1 - a very close decision; 483 for 7. Hutton swept Leach for consecutive boundaries, 10 off the 158th over. The Notts 500 came up in the 160th over with a single by James off Leach. Leach picked up his fifth wicket when he got one to turn and found Hutton's (16) edge and Overton took the catch at first slip, 508 for 8 in the 162nd over. Farhan (0) chipped Vaughan straight to Leach at mid-wicket, 509 for 9 in the 163rd over. James (66 off 118 balls, 7x4)) was last man to fall caught at first slip by Overton off Leach. Notts 509 all out off 163.2 overs (Abbas 0 not out) led by 130 runs. The two spinners got through a combined total of 92.2 overs with Leach finishing with 6-121 and Vaughan 3-111. The pitch is now taking significant turn at times but remains very slow.

Somerset had one over to bat. Nightwatchman Henry hit the first delivery from Patterson-White to the point ropes. Off the last delivery of the day, Henry (4) was bowled by Patterson-White attempting to make room for a cut shot. Somerset 4-1. Notts will need to bowl Somerset out in around 70 overs tomorrow to stand a chance – a tall order but there is turn there, a few early wickets could make the difference. Can Notts produce a Champions performance? MAG


30/06 Day 2

SLATER IS HEAD BOY ON SCHOOLS DAY.

On a day of unrelenting hot sunshine, Notts closed day 2 165 runs behind Somerset’s first innings total with seven first innings wickets still standing. Ben Slater, in fine form, played brilliantly throughout closing on an unbeaten 116 (off 224 balls, 14x4). Has he ever played any better?

Somerset added 104 to their overnight score in 23 overs. Abbas and Hutton opened up on a scorching day. In the third over of the morning Abbas had Aldridge (7) caught low down to his right by McCann at second slip; 286 for 7 in the 99th over. In the 102nd over, Overton edged Hutton for 4 and then two balls later straight drove him for another boundary. Patterson-White replaced Hutton for the 106th over. Hutton subsequently switched ends for the 109th over.

Somerset were 329 for 7 at 110 overs - two bowling pts for Notts. Three balls later, Hutton had Overton leg before for 24, 330 for 8.

In the 114th over, Henry hit Patterson-White for six over mid-wicket. Three balls later, Banton reverse swept the slow left armer and Mo Abbas diving low to his right took the catch at backward point; 340-9.

The last wicket partnership put on 39 in 5.1 overs with Henry giving it the long handle to frustrate Notts. In the 115th over, Henry hit successive balls from Hutton to the mid-wicket and extra cover ropes respectively. In the 116th over, Henry hit successive Patterson-White deliveries for 4 and six over long off. But next ball he was badly dropped on 27 by Clarke running around the mid-wicket ropes. In the 117th over, Henry hit Farhan for a towering six over mid-wicket. Farhan picked up the last wicket having Leach caught and bowled for 6. Somerset 379 all out off 119 overs. Henry 41 not out (off 29 balls, 4x4, 3x6). Three wickets apiece to Abbas and Hutton. Notts had stuck to their task well through the innings in the uncomfortable temperatures.

Henry and Leach shared the new ball. Notts 14 for 0 off 3 overs at lunch time with Hameed on 9 and Slater on 5.

Overton replaced Leach for the 4th over. Hameed (24) edged Henry to Rew behind the stumps; 38 for 1 off 11 overs. Leach returned for the 14th over and giving it more flight than Patterson-White was getting some turn. Aldridge went for nine in his opening over (19th) two offside fours for Slater. Slater hit consecutive fours off Aldridge's second over bringing up his seventh successive championship half ton in 62 balls. A two for Slater off Leach brought up the Notts 100 in the 28th over. Slater’s scoring rate was now slowing down. Off spinner Vaughan made it an all spin attack for the 29th over and with his seventh ball had McCann (24) caught behind by Rew, 104 for 2 in the 31st over. Clarke got off the mark with lofted four towards long on off Vaughan. At tea Notts were 124 for 2 off 39 overs with Slater on 65 and Clarke on 14.

Overton and Henry came on straight after tea. In the 43rd over, Slater hit two boundaries to point off Henry. Leach returned in the 46th over and with his third delivery removed Clarke (18) caught at first slip by Overton. A terrible shot from Clarke not moving his feet and with his bat well away from his body; 143 for 3. Haynes survived a confident shout off his first delivery; he appeared to be caught off his thigh pad by Overton at first slip. The Somerset team were generally over doing their appeals and putting undue pressure on the umpires. Is this on par or worse than the Pennington “incident” last week. Like yesterday the older the Kookaburra ball gets the harder it is to score and take wickets. This needs to be a “Key” consideration in whether they are used in the future.

In the 54th over, Haynes hit Leach for a straight six. In the 57th over, Slater reached a high class 100 off 171 balls with a couple off Vaughan's second delivery of his new spell. Aldridge returned for the 62nd over but no breakthrough was forthcoming. Stumps were drawn at 1807 with Notts 214 for three after 71 overs with Slater on 116 and Haynes on 34. The fourth wicket pair have stayed together for 25.3 overs and so far added 71.

The wicket is now much dryer and straw coloured, how much spin it takes over the next two days is open to conjecture. Notts need parity to stay in the game. MAG




29/06

NOTTS KEEP CIDERMEN IN CHECK

after hosts win the toss as flocks turn out at Taunton

At the end of a slow attritional day, a disciplined Notts bowling performance on a sluggish pitch with the dreaded Kookaburra ball saw Somerset restricted to 275 for 6 off 96 overs.

On a humid but predominantly cloudy day, Somerset won the toss and elected to bat on a greenish but slow pitch in front of a good-sized crowd of 2,500. Somerset were without Gregory and Pretorius.

With Pennington suspended, Hutton came back into the Eleven. Abbas (Trescothick End) and Hutton opened the bowling. The lack of pace in the pitch was apparent as early as the 4th over with Kishan standing up to Hutton whilst Kohler-Cadmore was facing. But during the same over his opening partner Dickson advancing down the pitch and trying to work the ball towards leg was plumb leg before falling for a 4-ball duck;10 for 1. Lammonby (2) rooted to his crease nibbled at one from Hutton and was caught behind by Kishan, 22 for 2 in the 8th over. Abbas got one to move and Kohler-Cadmore (31) edged it to Kishan, 46 for 3 in the 15th over.

With Somerset 56 for 3 after 17 overs, Patterson-White and James came on. With James also in the low 70s mph it will be interesting to see what the faster Somerset men get out of the deck. The opening bowlers had bowled with skill and accuracy. It was already apparent that Kookaburra ball had lost its efficacy and the cricket from this stage onwards was for the purist, little entertainment was on offer. Farhan came on for James for the 29th over. Somerset 100 for 3 after 31 overs at lunch with Rew on 41 and Abell on 17.

Patterson-White and Abbas were bowling after lunch and put a brake on the run scoring. Hutton replaced Abbas and a loosener was straight driven by Abell to the boundary and then Rew hit for a legside four, nine off the 41st over. In the next over, Rew reached his 50 off 86 balls. Notts were desperate for a wicket and Farhan replaced Patterson-White from the River End for the 46th over. James returned for the 49th over and he had Rew (58 off 108 balls; 9x4) driving straight back into his hands; 145-4 in the 49th over. The 4th wicket stand was worth 99. Abell got to his 50 off 126 balls with a single off James in the 51st over. In his next over, James had Banton grassed on 2 by Patterson-White at first slip an absolute dolly – a very costly drop. Patterson-White replaced Farhan from the River End in the 54th over. Abbas replaced James for the 59th over. The outfield was covered with seagulls who were feasting on the flying ants. Abell was lucky to survive a lbw shout from Patterson-White when on 64 in the 61st over. A full ball hitting him in front of the stumps. Abell (64 off 166 balls; 7x4) though he fell in Patterson-White's next over edging a legside delivery to Kishan behind the stumps; 179 for 5 in the 62nd over. Patterson-White bowled with great economy all day (32 overs for 1-67). At tea, Somerset were on 185 for 5 after 64 overs with Banton on 12 and Vaughan on 4.

Hutton joined Patterson-White for a bowl after tea, but was given two overs with James returning. Farhan came on for the 75th over after James had had a 3 over spell. The new ball was taken with Somerset 243 for 5 off 80 overs by Abbas and Hutton. The latter came down with cramp but continued after treatment. In the 83rd over, Vaughan (35) fell to a catch in the gully by Haynes off the deserving Abbas, 250 for 6. The second new ball providing a much needed wicket, the 6th wicket partnership had added 71 in 21 overs.

Hutton had a good shout against Banton for an lbw decision in the 84th over. Banton reached 50 off 103 balls with a couple off Hutton in the 88th over. Patterson-White and James returned for the 90th and 91st overs respectively but no more wickets came. When stumps were drawn at 18:13, Somerset were 275-6 off 96 overs with Banton on a patient 57 and Aldridge on 6. Not a day to live long in the memory. MAG

28/06

Squad as last week plus Brett Hutton but minus the suspended Dillon Pennington.

26/06

This week sees the Festival of Red Ball Cricket, so it's a great pity it's being played with a real party-pooper, the Kookaburra ball.

There will be a number of sideshows at Taunton this week, so if there's another mind-numbing [lack of] contests as yesterday's concluded Tykes game, there'll be some distractions from the red ball cricket part of the festivities.

Pravda remains on mute with regards to Brett Hutton's fitness, but Taunton ought to be a two spinners job in anycase.