Hampshire v Somerset, County Championship Group 2, The Ageas Bowl, Southampton, May 6th to 10th 2021, Day 4 Somerset 336 (Overton 74, Abell 64) and 4-0 beat Hampshire 79 (Gregory 4-26) and 258 (Overton 5-66, Davey 5-30) by 10 wickets
The bulk of the day can be described with the same piece of commentary, [insert name] runs in and bowls to [insert name] who leaves alone outside the off-stump. But Somerset persevered until just before 5pm eventually getting the job done and leaving themselves a run “chase” of 2.
We have all missed being to the ground more than we can describe but on days like today there is actually a huge advantage being away from the action. When things aren’t going to plan you can change what you are doing in the mistaken belief that somehow it can change Somerset’s fortunes. I was a superstitious cricketer and I’m an even more superstitious watcher. So I spent the day fully engaged with this mode of operation.
I ran the full gamut. It started off in the garden this morning but shifted after an unsuccessful hour at The Rose Bowl to sorting out a few things in the garage. That did the trick, Josh Davey getting Weatherley and Dawson (for a pair) in quick succession. The latter inducing a whoop of delight that most of the neighbours would have heard.
After lunch it was time for a walk, that worked last week allowing Lewis and Steve to seal the win after lunch. And it seemed to be working a treat when Vince and Lewis (“the ghost stumper”) McManus went in the 95th and 102nd overs. But the walk was done and tea came and went with no further inroads.
By this time Keith Barker, who had joined Felix Organ with the score on 186 was giving an indication that the surface had becoming significantly more placid and with an old ball and tiring bowlers the pair were showing little sign of budging.
Organ who was scoring so slowly (7 of 108 balls eventually) that he made Joe Weatherley look like he was playing a T20 innings. When you consider the Hampshire opener took 208 balls for 44 at a strike rate of 21.05 it was some achievement on Organ’s part. His strike rate was a scarcely conceivable 6.48. The length of his stay also allowed birthday boy Anthony Gibson to explore every possible avenue for puns around the musical instrument theme.
Felix’s dismissal was a huge double-relief.
Credit should also go to Steve Davies for Organ’s dismissal. He had just stood up to Davey, changing the angle and dynamic for the batsman which undoubtedly was a contributory factor.
I never got into panic mode or even to a level of concern equal to either lunch at Lord’s or the first hour last Sunday but something needed to happen soon to prevent the stress taking off. At that point there was nothing for it. Do the ironing, switch to the other TV to watch the live stream.
And it worked! Josh Davey, who was as ever superb got Organ lbw fittingly thanks to a really good catch by Craig Overton low to his right at second slip. When Josh had Abbas lbw at the end of his next over he joined Craig with a five-wicket second innings haul. You can thank me later!
Hampshire had snuck into the lead, by 1 run, we had another 10 minutes to wait until the conclusion. Never have I ironed so slowly as the interminable ten minutes between innings dragged on. Sufficient time for me to get annoyed with some of the comments on social media regarding the top order and the run chase!
But as the final shirt sleeve was pressed to perfection Eddie Byrom struck the first ball of the innings away for the winnings runs. A crucial win secured. Clear water between the top two and the rest at the half-way stage and a job very well done inside three days actual play.
I said in my preview that I’d have taken a draw. The stunning dismissal of Hampshire on Thursday changed all that but Somerset’s batting showed real quality and maturity and the bowlers stuck commendably to their task.
Four from five is a great start so it seems more than a little churlish to fret about the one defeat but after the little matter of Surrey at Taunton next week thoughts must already be toward Gloucestershire in two weeks’ time.
Unthinkable as it is the boys from Bristol could qualify and if they do the defeat in Taunton will figure in the Division One standings come September. There is still plenty of time for things to change and for either Hampshire or Surrey to turn their seasons round but a win in Bristol seems a must to me.
Make no mistake about it this is a competition that Somerset can win. With half of the group stage complete we are in a position I’d have settled for especially given the points deduction. But now the real hard work starts and I for one can’t wait.
Oh and by the way Essex lost. Again!
