Somerset 2nd XI v Essex 2nd XI, Taunton Cricket Club, Day 3, August 25th 2021 Essex 318 All Out (Khusi 63, Buttleman 53, Beard 53, Jack Brooks 3/34) and 319/5 declared (Browne 154, Walter 63, Khusi 53) beat Somerset 123 All Out (Clive Gibson 39, George Barlow 31, Snater 3/18, Allison 3/22) and 223 all out (George Bartlett 112, Josh Thomas 29, Kalley 3/28, Beard 3/45). by 291 runs.
A comprehensive defeat within three days for the young Somerset Second XI. Unsurprisingly overpowered by an Essex “second string” strengthened by a bunch of first team regulars as their county is not involved in this week’s Blast quarter-finals.
But this was not a day to be downbeat for followers of Somerset cricket. Craig Overton, finally given his chance in the England side did what we all know he would do picking up 3-14. Imagine what he would have done if he had been given the new ball! Western Storm won as they resumed their Charlotte Edwards Cup campaign and George Bartlett tuned up for the resumption of the County Championship next Monday with a century.
Overnight Somerset withdrew Jack Brooks to join the T20 squad for Thursday’s quarter- final with Lancashire and ‘subbed’ him with the exciting Sonny Baker.
Essex continued from where they left off overnight eventually declaring at 319/5. The three wickets taken in the morning session by Somerset were those of Browne (a magnificent 154) caught by Ned Leonard off the bowling of Josh Thomas, Walter (63) LBW Ned Leonard and Buttleman (1) caught by Ned Leonard from the bowling of George Thomas.
The declaration at lunchtime left Somerset the mammoth task of scoring over 500 runs in the remaining 5 sessions.
Bartlett was quickly to the crease at number 4 as Somerset started their second innings by quickly losing the two wickets of Chris Gibson (0) and Jamie Rew (18). This was an innings very different from his tremendous century against Leicestershire in the One Day Cup as George scored a superb 112 (116 balls, 20x4s and 1×6) before being bowled by Nijjar. Disappointingly only three other batsmen got into double figures – Greg Willows (27), Josh Thomas (29) and George Drissell (17 not out) and Somerset were all out in 61 overs for 223.
While there is no doubt that the second XI competition’s aims are developmental surely it is time to look at the integrity of the competition. The rules which allow a county to field a virtual first XI mean that games like this hinder rather than help young players. The 50 over competition has shown that there is room for such a format but over the longer form the difference is too great to be of benefit.
As it is Somerset finish their second team fixtures at Taunton CC for the year on a low note but as ever the availability of such a wonderful facility and surfaces for the seconds so close to base has been a huge plus.
