Somerset V Gloucestershire, County Championship Group 2, April 15th to 19th 2021 Day 4, Gloucestershire 309 (Bracey118) & 156-2 (Bracey 83*) beat Somerset 312 (Davies 87, Overton 54) and 149 by 8 wickets
The one session of the final day saw Gloucestershire, principally in the person of James Bracey, ease to their victory target for the loss of only one wicket. The session epitomises the whole four days and the result. Somerset were comprehensively outplayed, winning only one session out of 10 on Thursday afternoon.
Losing a game of cricket is not the end of the world. We should all, especially after the events of the last 14 months appreciate that. But a first red ball defeat for almost 4 years at Taunton hurts. A defeat to Gloucestershire hurts much more. A defeat like this is very hard to take.
The challenge now is for Tom Abell’s side to bounce back quickly. Leicestershire, our next opponents starting on Thursday appear to be the perfect sinecure, especially a bowling attack which has 600+ in both first innings so far this season. But they showed fight and spirit battling for a draw at The Oval and should not be under-estimated.
It’s fair to say that Somerset’s next game could be season defining for their Championship campaign.
