Somerset LV= County Championship Division 1 at County Ground Taunton Win

 

Day 3

NOTTS TRASH CIDERMEN

by an innings and 160 runs

Notts finally broke their Taunton hoodoo as they thrashed Somerset by an innings and 160 runs; their first championship victory at the venue since 1985. It was a complete performance with bat, ball and the field with rarely a bad ball bowled in the 105.2 overs they bowled. Somerset were bowled out for 107 and 181, losing 13 wickets on the third day. Fletcher was virtually unplayable taking 7 for 50 in the match in 25.3 overs; the leading wicket taker in the country he has taken 54 wickets at the astounding low average of 12.29. He was well supported by Brett Hutton and Dane Paterson, the latter taking three wickets In five balls in the same over in the second innings. If they replicate the standards shown in this contest in the remaining three games, Notts will be contention to claim their first championship crown since 2010.

Once again, all the play today was played in dank overcast conditions with the floodlights coming on after tea.

Hutton (Trescothick Pavilion End) and Paterson opened the bowling. In the 35th over, Hutton had Leach (10) caught by Clarke at first slip, 96 for 8. In the following over, Davey was caught behind by Moores diving to his right, as Paterson picked up his third wicket, 101 for 9. De Lange going for a huge leg side hit was comprehensively bowled by Hutton for 6. Somerset 107 all out. Brooks 4 not out.Fletcher 4 for 21 and Hutton and Paterson both with 3 for 42.

Somerset followed on 341 behind with Fletcher (Trescothick Pavilion End) and Hutton sharing the new ball. In the 7th over, Davies (2) edged a superb delivery from Fletcher to Moores, 10 for 1. Davies all at sea against the Bulwell Bomber. Hutton, having bowled all morning, was replaced by Paterson for the 12th over. Fletcher was virtually unplayable in his opening spell of 6 2 10 1 and made way for Mullaney. Lunch was taken with Somerset 35 for one off 17 overs with Lammonby on 21 and Abell on 7.

Fletcher and Paterson opened up after lunch and kept things tight. In the 22nd over, Abell (11) edged Paterson to Moores who took the catch diving to his right, 39 for 2. James Hildreth (4) shouldered arms and lost his off stump to Fletcher, 44 for 3 in the 27th over. Patterson-White and Hutton came on for the 30th and 31st overs respectively. In the 35th over, Lammonby (34) was caught at first slip by Clarke off Hutton, 59 for 4. Mullaney returned in the 41st over. Paterson replaced Mullaney and took a wicket with the first ball of his spell having Banton plumb leg before for 17. Next ball,van der Merwe fell for a golden duck chipping Paterson to Northeast who took the catch low down at square leg, 85 for 6 in the 49th over. Paterson made it three in five, a cracking ball taking out Goldsworthy off stump for 11, 86 for 7. Paterson not for the first time in 2021 had got a clutch of wickets with the older ball. Tea was taken with Somerset 98 for 7 off 51 overs with Leach on 5 and Davey on 8.

Leach and Davey went on the attack after tea and Leach raced to 35 before being stumped by Moores off Patterson-White, 132 for 8 in the 58th over. De Lange hit Paterson for six over mid wicket. The following over he repeated the shot off Patterson-White. De Lange was going for his shots pulling Paterson for 6 over square leg. Fletcher returned for the 63rd over. In the next over De lange (36) went for one shot too many and skied Patterson-White behind the wicket where Mullaney took the catch at the second attempt, 170 for nine. At 1711, Brooks (4) was the last man to fall, bowled off stump by that man Fletcher. Notts 181 all out. Notts winning by a margin of an innings and 160 runs. The Notts away contingent had witnessed the best championship display by a Notts team for many years. Somerset the championship favourites had been completely demolished at their headquarters.

Somerset supporters kept telling all and sundry that they were missing both Gregory and Overton, but Notts were missing more with Ball, Broad and Hameed all absent. Notts next face Lancashire on Sunday. MAG

Day 2

NOTTS DOMINATE

After Patterson-White maiden ton, followed by Fletcher running rampant 

Notts had a superb second day at Taunton piling up a massive first innings total of 448 and then ripping into the Somerset batting line up as they stumbled to 87 for 7 before bad light stopped play with 8.5 overs not bowled. The stars of the day were undoubtedly Liam Patterson-White with 101 and Luke Fletcher who followed up his 51 with the bat by taking 4 for 21 in 11 overs from the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion End. Somerset therefore still trial Notts by 361 runs with three first innings wicket standing.


On another gloomy morning, Patterson-White reached his 50 with a straight driven four off Davey (Trescothick Pavilion End). Patterson-White was dropped on 50 a sharp chance to Abell diving to his left at second slip off Davey. Notts reached 300 in the 93rd over with a boundary through third man by Patterson-White. The 100 partnershipship between Moores and Patterson-White which was greeted with radio silence from the Taunton announcer, was brought up via square cut for four by Moores off Davey. Lammonby replaced Brooks for the 99th over. Moores (46) fell to catch by keeper Davies off Lammonby, 332 for 7 in the 101st over. The 7th wicket had added 124 in 25 overs to completely change the complexion of the contest. De Lange came on for the 102nd over. Three overs later Notts reached 350 via a mid wicket boundary by Patterson-White off Lammonby. Leach and Abell came on for the 107th and 108th overs respectively. Notts stood at 371 for 7 at 110 overs. A quick offside single for Patterson-White off Leach took him to his maiden first class ton off 116 balls. Patterson-White departed to Leach next over,leg before for 101 off 121 balls (18x4), 381 for 8. A superb innings which began last night against the new ball in poor light. Hutton was dropped on 20 by de Lange off Leach. Notts got to lunch on 397 on 8 off 121 overs with Hutton on 23 and Fletcher on 12.

The 400 came up in the 127th over via a two through fine leg by Fletcher off Leach. Notts innings was grinding to a halt somewhat as the match temporarily went into stalemate. With light rain falling, Hutton (31) mistimed Abell and was caught at mid on by Davey, 410 for 9 in the 133rd over. Fletcher hit Abell for three consecutive fours in the 135th over. Next over Fletcher hit Brooks for a straight six. Van der Merwe was finally given bowl with the 137th over. A single for Fletcher off the spinner saw him to 50 off 90 balls. Fletcher was finally dismissed caught on the deep wicket ropes by Lammonby off van der Merwe for 51. Notts 448 all out off 142.1 overs. Paterson 3 not out as the last wicket had added 38 more runs. Tom Abell with 3 for 84 was the pick of the bowlers

Davies fell to the last ball of the first over leg before to Fletcher (Trescothick Pavilion End) for 1, 2 for 1. Hutton was his opening partner, Somerset got to tea on 11 for 1 off 9 overs with Abell on 5 and Lammonby on 5.

Paterson replaced Fletcher from the Trescothick Pavilion End. Batting looked to becoming easier with Paterson going for 16 in three overs, so Fletcher returned for the 17th over and the match took a dramatic twist as Somerset lost six wickets for 36 runs as the skies got even darker, just as it had done 24 hours earlier. In the 19th over Fletcher had Lammonby caught behind for 10, Moores taking the catch diving to his left, 51 for 2 in the 19th over. Four balls later, Abell was strangled down the leg side caught behind by Moores for 35, 52 for 3 after 18.5 overs, 50 wickets for the season for Fletcher. Immediately after at 1649 the players had to leave pitch due to a brief floodlight failure, the players returned 5 minutes later. Paterson replaced Hutton in the 24th over. Goldsworthy (5) became the second Somerset batsmen to be caught Moores bowled Fletcher to a leg side delivery, 68 for 4 in the 24th over. Hildreth survived a confident leg before shout against Paterson. But Paterson got his revenge in his next over pinning Hildreth right in front of his stumps for 12, 72 for 5 in the 28th over. Hutton returned for the 29th over and van der Merwe was leg before for 2, 77 for 6. Tom Banton (6) become the 7th wicket to fall edging a corker of a delivery from Paterson to Moores who took his fourth catch of the innings, 87 for 7. Bad light stopped play at 1750 with Somerset 87 for 7 off 30.1 overs with Leach on 6 and Davey on 0. Play was called off ten minutes later. What a dramatic last session! MAG

There was another dominant day at Lady Bay also for the Seconds on their day 2.

Notts declared at tea on 506/6 Compton unbeaten on 204, Schadendorf 42, Carter 47

Northants closed on 36/3 in the 16 overs possible.

Day 1

PATTERSON-WHITE WRESTLES BACK THE INITIATIVE FOR NOTTS

On a cool windy dank day at Taunton, Notts can be pleased with their performance on the opening day after being inserted by Somerset. Notts omitted Harrison and Trego from the final eleven who took to the field in front of a healthy crowd with a good following from Nottingham. Notts have a poor championship record at Taunton with their last win at the ground being way back in 1985, before any of the current playing eleven even were born!



Josh Davey (River End) and Josh Brooks opened the bowling as Notts surprisingly preferred Duckett at opener, instead of Mullaney. In the fourth over, a poor shot from Slater (3) saw him caught low down at point by Lammonby off Brooks, 7 for 1. Slater was out in identical fashion, five days earlier against Hampshire. Northeast came to crease on his Notts debut and looked calm and composed. In the ninth over, de Lange replaced Davey at the River End. In the 12th over Brooks picked up his second wicket as Duckett (24) top edged an attempted pull shot and was caught by van der Merwe in the covers, 44 for two. In the 14th over, Davey switched ends to replace Brooks. In the 17th over Abell brought himself on. Northeast and Clarke looked secure and de Lange came on from the Trescothick Pavilion End. Amongst huge cheers from the partisan home crowd Jack Leach came on for 27th over, 15 minutes before lunch. Lammonby bowled the last over before the interval.Notts 88 for 2 off 30 overs at lunch with Northeast on 33 and Clarke on 21. An even first session, Notts withstanding the accurate home attack, although both dismissals had been self inflicted.


Brooks and Davey were bowling in tandem after lunch and were both getting the ball to swing as the atmosphere became briefly more humid. In the third over after the break, Northeast (34) was leg before to a delivery from Davey that kept low, 97 for 3. Notts reached their hundred with a top edged six over third man by Clarke attempting a pull shot off Brooks. Clarke reached his 50 off 97 balls in the 40th over with a single off de Lange but frustrating he got himself out when well set. Abell returned and dismissed Clarke (59) caught behind by Davies, 140 for 4 in the 48th over. Clarke who was attempting a leg side pull only succeeded in top edging to Davies who took the catch to his right. Mullaney hit Leach for a straight six. Notts got to tea 172 for 4 after 64 overs with James on 24 and Mullaney on 20. James in a spot of bother early on, showed excellent composure to weather the storm.


A cover drive to four by Mullaney off Abell brought up the 50 partnership for the fifth wicket with James. Abell got a ball to move away and had James (30) caught behind by Davies, 194 for 5 in the 69th over. This was the ball of the day, Abell had basically bowled a fast leg break. Somerset were bowling and fielding exceptionally well, and skipper Abell impressed with his captaincy which included frequent bowling changes, never letting the batsmen to settle.


The Notts 200 was achieved via a no ball by Abell in the 71st over. Moores edged Abell to Leach at second slip when on 2 the ball just landing short of the slow left armer. De Lange had Mullaney leg before for 42, the ball heading for the leg stump, 208 for 6 in the 76th over, advantage Somerset. No Notts batsmen could obtain a substantial score.


The floodlights were immediately switched on and there was a stoppage as Patterson-White was struck on the helmet by Abell. The blow seem to galvanise the young left-hander. Nineteen runs came off the 80th over bowled by de Lange including three boundaries in four deliveries to Patterson-White and a no ball that went for 4 byes.


Brooks and Davey took the new ball at 80 overs with Notts 240 for 6. Patterson-White though despite batting in the gloom produced an impressive counter attack to keep Notts in the contest.


The 250 came up in the 83rd over via a single for Patterson-White. Patterson-White was batting beautifully hitting Brooks for two boundaries in the same over. Bad light stopped play at 1801 with Notts on 282 for 6 off 88.4 overs with Patterson-White on 46 and Moores on 26. The pair have so far added an unbroken 74 in 13 overs for the seventh wicket to frustrate Somerset. Patterson-White should be batting higher up the order than his current spot at number 8, he should not be wasted batting with the tail. His innings against new ball in poor light was a mini classic with nine boundaries all along the floor and wrestled the initiative away from the Cidermen.


Notts will be hoping to get to around 350 tomorrow, which will be a very competitive total on a good pitch but with overhead conditions expected to remain overcast throughout the remainder of the match, will encourage the seam trio Fletcher, Hutton and Paterson. MAG

Meanwhile at Lady Bay: 86 overs were possible between the Seconds and Northants 2s.

COMPTON STATEMENT

Ben Compton, shelved from the first eleven by Sam Northeast's arrival made the perfect response, ending the day 142 not out, Notts 335/3: Montgomery (capt) 44, Evison 62, Budinger 76 were the wickets to fall.

Point of interest: Notts scorer at Lady Bay was First XI scorer Roger Marshall. Second XI scorer, Ann Cusworth is at Taunton this week.

Tomorrow and after a 47 days break, the LV= County Championship resumes. Notts find themselves in "Division 1" even after their sluggish start in April but that sluggish start also follows them into this phase of the competition as Warwickshire also join Notts in the top tier; Warwickshire being the main beneficaries of Notts' slow adjustment period, before they shrugged-off the millstone of their 1000 + days winless sequence. 

Notts have 5 points, Somerset 18.5 before we start, Bears top the table with 21.

Notts will resume Championship cricket minus one of their shining lights from the Group stages - Haseeb Hameed, who might just be rebuilding his career with the England Test side, so have drafted-in on loan, the unsettled, Sam Northeast from Hampshire who was averaging 32 (1 ton and 2 fifties) in 2021 before he went on his travels to Yorkshire initially.

Will Northeast's inclusion involve some batting order re-jigging with Mullaney or Duckett joining Slater at the top of the order?

Lyndon James hasn't been bowling in recent weeks, so will he be included solely as a batsman?

Peter's party to trek down the M5 are:

Steven Mullaney c
Ben Slater
Sam Northeast
Joe Clarke
Ben Duckett
Lyndon James
Tom Moores x
Liam Patterson-White
Calvin Harrison
Brett Hutton
Luke Fletcher
Dane Paterson
Peter Trego

The Somerset squad are: Tom Abell, Tom Banton, George Bartlett, Jack Brooks, Josh Davey, Steve Davies, Lewis Goldsworthy, Ben Green, James Hildreth, Tom Lammonby, Marchant de Lange, Jack Leach and Roelof van der Merwe.