Application, determination, concentration, adaptability, consistency and the will to turn another loss into a victory, came to the fore in the batting performance of James Rew, Craig Overton and Lewis Gregory as they turned certain defeat in the opening two days, to a hard fought victory on day four against a strong Esses side writes Merv Colenutt.
If four day cricket is dead, try telling the purest that as the Taunton wicket as expected, became flatter as the game progressed, but the moans and groans from the supporters in the opening two and a half days turned to jubilation as Somerset turned a certain defeat into a much needed first victory of the season, but it still leaves them perilously the wrong end of the table.
On day one, the ball did very little fr 40 overs, but after lunch, for no apparent reason, the ball appeared to spin and lift at the same time, as in the space of fifteen overs, Essex went from 110 fo2 to 146 for 7, with Jack Leach in particular bowling beautifully and although the visitors reached 206, you felt that if the Somerset batsmen could find a bit of form, then a first innings lead was within their reach.
Sadly away from Tom Banton’s triple century in the opening fixture of the season, their inconsistencies proved to be their downfall once again and with Essex boasting one of the best bowling line ups in the division, Somerset succumbed to far too many poor selection of shots against an attack that consistently make the batsmen play at every ball.
Essex responded well in reply with a first innings lead of 61, to score 259 in their second innings, with the England debutant Jordon Cox scoring a century before retiring hurt with a side strain.
It’s always easy to make comparisons and England have a wealth of talent with their wicket keepers, so comparing Jame Rew to Cox, maybe unfounded, but with 4 or 5 wicket keepers coming into the mix in recent times, I wonder what Rew has to do to get recognised.
Set 320 to win by Essex it was always going to be a tall order and although Somerset have the talent in their top order, inconsistencies has been proving to be their downfall and as so often happens, poor shot selection proved costly once again as Somerset slumped to 78 for 5 when Banton was dismissed attempting a reverse sweep.
Tom Lammonby and Tom Abell both looked good, but then got out when looking set, but for James Rew and Lewis Gregory, they both showed their true credentials in a 100 run partnership and with Craig Overton in a role that suited him perfectly that would make him the complete all rounder, with so much patience and concentration, he helped Rew add 100 runs that helped to almost see Somerset over the line.
This was four day county championship cricket at its very best, Essex the dominant side for two thirds of the game, but Somerset who were second best for long periods, somehow squeezed out a victory that never looked possible in the final session on day three.
Just goes to prove that for the purists of county cricket and the hundred competition for non purists, the two games are a long way apart and the money side of the game has become far more important to the players, you can’t blame them, but surely there is still a place for county championship cricket in the coming years.
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