It would be fair to say that the Second XI challenge for the 2nd XI County Championship has not got off to a good start. Having played three matches and only come out on top in the game against Warwickshire, Somerset are sitting at the mid-point position in the table. But second-team cricket is as much about development and individuals pushing for the first team and in this regard, there have been some notable performances, especially from Lewis Goldsworthy, Sam Young and James Rew who also took 5 catches against Worcestershire. The leading wicket-takers are Ned Leonard, Ben Green both with 10 apiece and Jack Brooks with 7 wickets to his name.
April 2021 Results
Taunton, Apr 6 – 9 2021, Glamorgan – lost by 3 wickets – Somerset 296 (Goldsworthy 100) & 291 (Goldsworthy 78) Glamorgan 429 (Baker 3/78) & 159/7 (Brooks 3/41)
Birmingham, Apr 12 – 14 2021, Somerset 2nd XI won by 236 runs -Somerset 138 & 366 (Goldsworthy 67, Young 61, Rew 70 not out) Warwickshire 57 (Brooks 3/4, Foster 4/8) & 211 (Green 3/30)
Taunton, Apr 19 – 22 2021, Worcs 2nd XI won by 269 runs – Worcestershire 466 (Leonard 4/89, Green 4/82) & 226/5d (Thomas 3/17) Somerset 206 (Goldsworthy 68) & 217 (Smeed 52, Young 44)
Lewis Goldsworthy tops the batting averages with 334 runs from 6 innings including a hundred at an average of 66.80. James Rew is averaging 37.6 with a top score of 71* also from six innings.
These numbers more than justify Goldsworthy’s selection for the first team against Middlesex. Lewis’ run tally included one century and three half-centuries in the three matches played during April. James Rew is looking like a real prospect as well with both bat and gloves.
Of the bowlers Ben Green and Ned Leonard had 10 wickets each at respective averages of 19 and 28.1 respectively.
The month of May will see championship fixtures against Gloucestershire and Middlesex, before two T20 friendlies with Cardiff MCCE on the 19th prior to the first game in the 2nd XI t20 v Worcestershire on the last day of the month.
