Somerset Rothesay County Championship Div 1 at Trent Bridge Loss 3 pts Reports

 

15/06

Day 4

NOTTS HANDED A WHIPPING BY SOMERSET

Rolled Over-ton for 306 run thrashing

Notts’ unbeaten run of 14 championship games ended in disappointing fashion at Trent Bridge today with a whopping 306 run defeat against Somerset. It was their tenth largest ever defeat in terms of run margin their first-class history, On an easing pitch Notts batsmen showed little fighting spirit rolling over for 166 all out. Only Fergus O'Neill can be happy with his efforts with an unbeaten 54 (off 105 balls, 9x4). The defeat and the fact that Notts only obtained three points from the match meant they are now fifth in the Division 1 standings.

Notts resumed on 47 for 3.  The first ball of the day was a wide leg stump half volley from Ball (Pavilion End) which Clarke tucked away for four. It proved a false dawn as Somerset hardly bowled a bad ball for the remainder of the day. The second over of the morning was a maiden for Overton. With the second delivery of the third over Clarke (4)  lost his off stump to a delivery from Ball that kept low; 51 for 4 in the 21st over. Haynes joined his captain in the middle but the partnership only lasted five overs and 18 runs. After creaming Overton down the pitch for an off driven four Hameed (25) fell to the very next ball with a deliberate leg side ball from the replacement Somerset captain that Hameed tickled into Thomas Rew's gloves; 69 for 5 in the 26th over. Notts realistic hopes of saving the game gone in the first eight overs of the day. James, failing to move his feet, edged Overton and Thomas Rew took the catch diving in front of first slip; 75 for 6 in the 28th over. A four-ball duck and an eight-ball pair for James. Pretorius replaced Overton for the 32nd over. In his second over, a leaden footed Patterson-White played a loose shot and was caught at second slip by Overton; 87 for 7 in the 34th over. Haynes and O'Neill had added 17 when Pretorius got a ball to move away and it found Haynes' edge (24) which Thomas Rew took - a regulation catch. Notts 104 for 8 in the 40th over. Pennington guided Pretorius to the third man ropes off his first ball. Vaughan came on for the 44th over to replace Pretorius. Lunch was delayed by 15 minutes with Notts 129 for 8 off 48 overs. O’Neill, was having a bit of fun, twice hitting Vaughan for four through point in the 50th over. Pennington was then dropped on 6 by Overton at first slip off Leach. Notts got to lunch on 138-8 after 53 overs with O’Neill on 39 and Pennington on 7.

Pennington inside edged Overton for four off the first delivery after lunch. Two balls ;later, Pennington cover drove Overton, eight off the 54th over. Pennington’s (15) innings lasted 49 balls before he was caught at backward point by Goldsworthy off Overton; 152 for 9 in the 58th over. The ninth wicket partnership of 48 in 18 overs was the highest of the innings.

O’Neill got to his 50 off 94 balls with a pulled four to fine leg off Ball in the 61st over. The end was nigh though and at 14:37, Ali (1) mistimed a pull shot from a short ball from Overton (5-29) which was caught by Ogborne at square leg. Notts 166 all out off 63.5 overs. Somerset had out performed Notts in all three departments, despite being five batsmen short. It was Notts’ first championship defeat at Trent Bridge since 20th May 2024 – a five-wicket defeat against Hampshire. Notts supporters will be hoping for a much more committed and determined performance from Notts as they head to new leaders Essex on Friday. Essex four victories have been obtained with doubles over Hampshire and Leicestershire. MAG

14/06

Day 3

REW 2 PUTS DOMINATED NOTTS UNDER THE PUMP

A first Notts defeat in over a year looms 

Somerset’s complete domination of this match continued throughout Day 3 with Notts closing on 47-3 requiring a further 426 from 96 overs @4.44 RPO to win or more realistically having to lose less than seven wickets tomorrow in 576 balls. The star of the day was 18-year-old Thomas Rew in only his second championship game scored a brilliant unbeaten 127 (off 151 balls, 8x4, 6x6), playing himself in before dismantling a tiring Notts attack, to set up the likely victory.

Notts and Brett Hutton in particular bowled well in the first session restricting Somerset to 65-2 in 29 overs. Goldsworthy (1) was out to the first delivery of the day caught by Clarke diving to his right off Hutton (Pavilion End), 73 for 3 in the 22nd over. O’Neill bowled a five over spell before being replaced by Pennington for the 33rd over. Hutton did not concede a run in his opening spell of 8 8 0 1 – a fine effort. He was replaced by Ali for the 38th over. Nightwatchman Ogborne was dropped on 13 by McCann low down at 2nd slip off Pennington in the 39th over – a simple chance. Off the last delivery of the 10th over of the day from the Pavilion End a single for James Rew off Ali was the first run off the bat from that  end. Ali removed Ogborne's (17) off stump, 106-4 in the 42nd over. But any hope of Notts making further inroads was thwarted by a 5^th wicket partnership of 68 in 15 overs by the Rew brothers. O'Neill replaced Pennington for the 45th over. Patterson-White came on for the 48th over, Thomas Rew sweeping him for two fours, 10 off the over. McCann came on next over and conceded four. Somerset 148 for 4 off 59 overs at lunch with James  Rew on 33 and Thomas Rew on 19.

Somerset accelerated in the second session adding 124-2 in 35 overs. James and Patterson-White bowled straight after lunch. James Rew (50 off 105 balls, 6x4) got to his 50 off 103 balls with a single off Patterson-White in the 56^th over. Next over he edged Pennington with Clarke taking his 4th catch of the innings; 174 for 5 in the 57th over. James bowled 7-2-20-1 in one spell from the Radcliffe Road End before being replaced by Ali for the 65th over. Thomas Rew hit Patterson-White for six over-mid-wicket; eight off the 68th over. Thomas Rew got to his 50 off 75 balls with a single off Patterson-White in the 70th over. Pennington came on for the 73rd over. Thomas Rew was dropped on 57 by Clarke diving to his right off Pennington in the 75th over. Clarke was increasingly struggling behind the stumps conceding 30 byes over the two innings. The decision to put your best 4-day batsman behind the stumps looking more foolish as each day has passed. Verreynne has to return for Chelmsford. Thomas Rew reverse swept Patterson-White for four and then smashed him for six over mid-wicket; 13 off the 78th over. Vaughan (23), advancing down the pitch, was bowled by Patterson-White, 243 for 6 in the 80th over. The 6^th wicket stand had raised 69 in 23 overs.  It was a surprise that Notts took the new ball at the earliest opportunity with Somerset 244 for 6 off 80 overs. The expected increase in scoring then came with 111 runs coming off the next 17 overs @6.53 RPO. O’Neill going for eight in the 81^st over.

A single for Thomas Rew off Hutton in the 82nd over was the first run scored off him after he bowled 50 balls in the day. He then had Overton dropped on 8 by James on the square leg ropes – an easy chance. Somerset reached tea on 272 for 6 off 85 overs with Thomas Rew on 79 and Overton on 16.

Ball replaced Gregory in the Somerset line up at tea time. Gregory waiting to see whether he was required to bat before making the expected change.

Notts spread their field after tea. Thomas Rew hit Hutton for six over long on; seven off the 88th over. Overton (20) was lbw to O'Neill;  288 for 7 in the 89th over. Rew junior and Leach then put bat to ball adding 67 in 53 balls. Thomas Rew got to his 100 off 135 balls with a quick offside single off Hutton in the 92nd over. The declaration should have come there but for some strange reason Somerset batted on.  

Pennington replaced O'Neill for the 93rd over and went for 14 plus a bye - Leach pulling him for four and six towards square leg. Ali returned for the 94th over and his first delivery was smashed for six by Thomas Rew over square leg - 11 off the over. Thomas Rew hit Ali for consecutive square leg sixes; 15 off the 96^th over. Pennington then went for eight. Somerset finally declared on 355 for 7 off 97 overs. with Thomas Rew on 127 and Leach on 28. The non selection of Verreynne had backfired with the hard working and enthusiastic Ali having match figures of 3-124. The team though was unbalanced and with a makeshift keeper donning the gloves the left field team selection has not been vindicated.

Notts required 473 off 114 overs – Thomas Rew taking over from brother James behind the stumps. Ogborne (Pavilion End) and Pretorius shared the new ball with Slater and Hameed initially looking solid. With Notts 23 for 0 after 6 overs, Ball replaced Ogborne from the Pavilion End and with his sixth delivery had Slater (16) caught at first slip by Hermann off a ball that kept low; 23 for 1 off  7 overs. Overton came on for the 12th over and removed McCann (8) caught by keeper Thomas Rew diving to his left with his fourth delivery, 36 for 2 in the 12th over. Leach came on for the 15th over. Off the last ball of the penultimate over, nightwatchman Hutton (6) was lbw to Leach, 47 for 3 off 17 overs. Hameed played out the final over from Overton with Notts closing on a sorry 47-3 off 18 overs with Hameed on 12 and Clarke on  0. The odd ball is still keeping low but the pitch is no minefield but with three of the Notts batsmen out of form it will take a mammoth effort from here to save the game. MAG

13/06

Day 2

GREGORY WICKETS HAVE NOTTS ON THE ROPES

Somerset lead by 190 runs with eight second innings wickets still standing as this game enters Day 3.

Somerset started on what turned out to be a very windy day on 295-7. It took Notts seven overs to remove the last three Somerset batsmen with a further 15 runs added. All three wickets were taken by O’Neill who finished with career best figures of 6-72 beating his 5-19 which he took at Edgbaston last season.

O’Neill and Ali conceded nine of the opening two overs of the morning. Leach (21) was well caught by James running round the boundary rope from deep square leg; 304-8 after 99 overs. A well-pitched up delivery by O'Neill removed Pretorius off stump, the South African out for a ten-ball duck. Two balls later, Ogborne was leg before for a duck. Somerset 310 all out off 103 overs. Vaughan left stranded on 66 not out (off 145 balls; 7x4). O'Neil’s final figures 23-4-72-6. The big question was how much Notts’ poor second session yesterday when Somerset added 104 without loss would have on the game.

We were soon to find out. Hameed, looking nervous and tentative at the crease, was tempted repeatedly to fish outside off stump by the canny Gregory (Radcliffe Road End). Hameed edged the fourth delivery he faced to Vaughan at third slip; 0 for 1 after 4 balls. Hameed’s career which has featured a number of feast and famine stages, is unfortunately very much currently in the latter phase. It got worse 21 balls later when Slater (1) was lbw from a delivery from Gregory that kept low; 9 for 2 in the 5th over. Both openers out and without Verreynne in the line-up, Notts well and truly on the ropes with an extended tail.

Notts rode their luck, Clarke inside edged his first ball off Gregory to the fine leg ropes. Pretorius replaced Ogborne from the Pavilion End from the 10th over and Overton came on for the 13th over. McCann on 19 had a let off miscuing Overton to Pretorius at mid-on who just failed to get to the chance with the ball staying in the air for seemingly an eternity in the 17th over. Notts 50 for 2 off 18 overs with McCann on 19 and Clarke on 26.

Notts had a dreadful start to the afternoon session losing three wickets for 13 in 34 balls. Leach who had come on for the 20th over had McCann (33) caught behind by James Rew in the third over of his spell; 69 for three off 24 overs. McCann must have got the thinnest of edges to a delivery that appeared not to turn. The third wicket had added 60 in 20 overs. Sadly it turned out to be the largest of Notts’ innings.

Gregory returned for the 29th over and with his third ball had Clarke (36) chopping on to his stumps; 81 for 4. James lasted 4 balls before falling lbw to Leach for a duck; 82 for 5 in the 30th over. Patterson-White cover drove Leach for successive fours. Haynes took eight off the next over bowled by Gregory. Notts reached 100 in the 32nd over with a two for Patterson-White off Leach. Notts only added 17 of the following nine overs with Pretorius coming back for the 39th over and going for seven in his opening over of his new spell. Patterson-White (29) attempting a cut shot played on to Leach; 122 for 6 in the 42nd over. Overton replaced Leach after the spinner had bowled 15 1 44 3 in his sole spell of the innings. A single for O Neill off Ogborne in the 53rd over took Notts to 161 which meant they had avoided the follow on. Archie Vaughan bowled the last over before tea. Notts 171 for 6 off 55 overs at the interval with Haynes on 43 and O'Neill on 21. The fear though was that once one of the two batsmen was out, Notts innings would end rapidly with their long tail.

Gregory bowled the first over after tea. A four and a three from Haynes took him to 50 off 80 balls. O'Neill (21) with no feet movement edged Gregory to James Rew behind the stumps; 178 for 7 in the 56th over. A poor shot to end a gutsy innings. A 7th wicket had added 56 in 14 overs. The innings would end as predicted only 15 runs added for the remaining three wickets.

Hutton (6) pulled a short ball from Pretorius and it skied up straight to Hermann at square leg off Pretorius; 187 for 8 after 59 overs. Another poor dismissal. With Notts 188 for 8 off 59.4 overs Gregory went off mid over with what appeared to be a hamstring injury, Overton completed the over. Pennington (0) was out for a 10- ball duck caught behind by Rew off Overton, 190 for 9 in the 62nd over. Haynes (57 off 102 balls, 4x4), attempting to keep the strike off the last delivery of an Overton over, got a top edge to a pull shot with James Rew running from behind the stumps towards square leg taking the catch. Notts 193 all out off 64 overs with Ali 2 not out. Gregory 4 for 51 and Leach 3 for 44. A lot of credit must go to Somerset who bowled and fielded excellently helped by some astute field placing by Gregory that limited the Notts run scoring. The wicket remained slow and low but some sideways movement and inconsistent bounce were apparent. The Somerset bowlers as a collective out bowling their Notts counterparts who bowled inconsistently on the opening day. Somerset had a massive lead of 117.

The interval between the innings lasted 15 minutes as their appeared to be miscommunication between Somerset, the umpires and the ground staff in terms of what roller to use.

Notts came out in a very deflated and hang dog state and bowled and fielded indifferently for an hour in what were now the best batting conditions of the day. The sun now out constantly although the gusty north westerly wind still remained.

O'Neill (Radcliffe Road End) and Hutton shared the new ball but never looked like making a breakthrough. With Somerset 30 for 0 off 9 overs Pennington came on from the Pavilion End. Ali replaced O’Neill for the following over.

Patterson-White came on for the 15th over and got one to turn into left hander Thomas who edged behind to Clarke; 72 for 1. Hermann (40) attempting to pull a short ball from Ali got the thinnest of edges and was caught by Clarke, 72 for 2 in the 19th over. Shades of the McCann dismissal earlier in the day. Nightwatchman Ogborne faced 17 balls without scoring but he is still there tomorrow with Goldsworthy on 1. When stumps were finally drawn at 18:54 Somerset stood at 73-2 off 21 overs.

Notts who are unbeaten in 14 championship games are in severe danger of losing their first game since Durham away last year. They are likely to have to bat for between four and four and half sessions to pull off an unlikely draw on a slow and low wicket which they must hope gets even slower. Without Verreynne they have a very long tail. The stats don’t look good - Hameed, James and Patterson-White have one championship 50 between them this season. But stats are there to be broken…. MAG

12/06

Day 1

HERMANN GIVES SOMERSET THE EDGE

Somerset will be the happier of the two teams closing on 295 for 7 off 96 overs after being put in by Notts on a greenish pitch at Trent Bridge today.

Notts gave a championship debut to Mohammad Ali and with Fergus O’Neill also playing it meant that there was no place in the team for Kyle Verreynne. It's too early to say whether this selection has worked or not. Notts have lengthened their tail and Clarke, the replacement keeper, struggled somewhat during the day conceding 16 byes. Although Ali only took one wicket, he was Notts’ best bowler in the opening two sessions. The green wicket played easier than expected, lacking pace, although it's still offering assistance with the new ball. Somerset were without Abell, Banton, Lammonby, Smeed and Kohler-Cadmore and will be pleased with their close of play score. Jordan Hermann their 24-year-old left-handed South African opener batted for 83 overs for his 106 (off 211 balls, 11x4, 1x6) and was well supported by 18-year-old Thomas Rew (68 off 133 balls, 11x4) in his third first class and second championship game and 20-year-old Archie Vaughan (51 not out off 121 balls, 5x4).

Light drizzle delayed the start, play commencing at 11:07. O'Neill (Pavilion End) bowled five balls before the drizzle returned at 11:10 – Thomas twice edging him just short of the slips. Somerset 1 for 0 off 0.5 overs with Hermann on 1 and Thomas on 0.

Play resumed at 11:18. Brett Hutton was O'Neill's new ball partner. Thomas departed for a seven-ball duck via a leading edge off O'Neill which went straight to Haynes at third slip; 7 for 1 in the 3rd over. Goldsworthy (8) edged Hutton to third slip where Haynes took his second catch of the innings, 20 for 2 in the 8th over. But these were the only wickets that Notts took with the new ball. O’Neill conceded nine in the 11th over – legside boundaries to Hermann and James Rew.

Pennington replaced Hutton for the 12th over. Hermann hit Pennington for a six over wide long off in the 14th over – it was the only six of the day. Ali, who received his county cap prior to play, came on for the 15th over. Hermann smashed Pennington for a straight drive. Pennington deflected it straight onto the non-striker’s middle stump with James Rew (10) out of his ground, 47 for 3 in the 18th over. A desperately unlucky dismissal. Hutton returned for the 22nd over. Somerset got to lunch on 63 for 3 off 25 overs with Hermann on 25 and Thomas Rew on 10.

Notts lost their way after lunch. Hermann, clearly strong off his pads, was fed too many legside balls in a wayward bowling effort. Hermann with Thomas Rew batted throughout the session adding 104 in 32 overs.

O'Neill and Hutton were bowling immediately after lunch but with the ball older and the sun now shining bright, batting was much easier.

Pennington returned this time from the Radcliffe Road End for the 35th over. James was introduced for the 36th over with a flicked four to fine leg by Hermann taking Somerset to three figures – James conceding nine in his opening over and a further 11 off his third over. Hermann got to his 50 off 95 balls with a leg glanced four off Pennington's in the 41st over. After bowling three overs for 23 James made way for Ali. Thomas Rew got to his 50 off 94 balls with a four through point off Pennington in the 43rd over. O'Neill came on for the 47th over. Patterson-White and Hutton came on for the 52nd and 53rd overs respectively. McCann bowled the last over before tea conceding five. Somerset 167 for 3 off 57 overs with Hermann on 64 and Thomas Rew on 68.

Notts took a wicket with the seventh ball after tea. Thomas Rew lbw for a career best 68 to a straight delivery from Ali; 169 for 4 in the 59th over. The 4th wicket stand added 122 in 41 overs. Notts were bowling much better now with the scoring rate slowing. Pennington replaced Ali for the 67th over. James came back for the 70th over replacing Patterson-White. He bowled a two over spell before Patterson-White returned from the Pavilion End. James immediately swapped ends. A straight driven four for Hermann off James took him to his 100 off 203 balls. His ninth first-class ton but his first for the Cidermen. Two balls later a short ball from James was guided for four by Hermann to fine leg; eight off the 79th over. 

The new ball was taken with Somerset 222 for 4 off 80 overs and Notts fought back taking three wickets for 33 in 8.4 overs. Hermann’s (106) fine innings came to an end when he was bowled off stump by O'Neill; 234 for 5 after 83 overs. Twelve balls later, Overton became O'Neill's third victim lbw to a well-pitched up delivery for a 6-ball duck; 238 for 6 off 85 overs. Ali and Pennington replaced O'Neill and Hutton in the 91st and 92nd overs respectively. With his third delivery Pennington bowled Gregory for 10. The ball unplayable moving in and keeping low; 267 for 7 in the 92nd over. Leach went for the long handle driving Pennington for a boundary and next ball whipping him off his legs for another four.

Vaughan reached his 50 off 117 balls with a single off Pennington in the 94th over. When stumps were drawn at 18:45 Somerset were 295-7 off 96 overs with Vaughan on 51 and Leach with a run a ball 21. MAG

11/06

Suggesting doubts about the fitness of the Australian, both O'Neill and Ali included in a squad of thirteen:

Haseeb Hameed c

Ben Slater

Freddie McCann

Joe Clarke

Jack Haynes

Kyle Verreynne x

Lyndon James

Liam Patterson-White

Fergus O'Neill

Brett Hutton

Olly Stone

Dillon Pennington

Mohammad Ali