Josh Davey Watch

The knock-on effect of the injuries and absences that affected first-team selection were heaped on Greg Kennis who had to field a side against Cornwall on Saturday and Sunday for the 2nds first pre-season friendly. But all eyes were on Josh Davey who struck in his first over as he (hopefully) tuned up for Thursday.

  • 2nd XI

Mike Unwin

Mike moved to Montacute (4.5 miles from Yeovil) in 1952, he started watching Somerset in 1956 and has been a supporter ever since. In retirement, when not at the County Ground or Taunton Vale watching the Somerset Second XI, he can be found, volunteering at the Ilminster Arts supporting the Stock and Sales system or in the Somerset Cricket Museum cataloguing the collection items and putting them online, on the museum’s website www.somersetcricketmuseum.co.uk

Seconds Watch, 2 Day Pre-Season Friendly, Taunton Cricket Club, Somerset 2nd XI v Cornwall, Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th April

Somerset 2nd XI 158/6 & 88/4, Cornwall 257/9 & 125/7 – match drawn

Somerset Squad: Depleted by the absence of 9 players due to the First XIs injury, illness and ECB contractual requirements, Second XI Coach, Greg Kennis named the following squad: Josh Davey, Ollie Sale, James Rew (Academy), Josh Thomas (Academy), Archie Vaughan (Academy), Fin Hill (Academy), Noah Davis (Academy), Jack Harding (PSPP), Ollie Heard (PSPP), George Barlow (Exeter University), James Boyle (Exeter University) and Dylan Church (Exeter University).

Normally the phrase ‘selection problem’ means that the coach has an over-abundance of players fighting for a place in the team, but this week one can imagine Kennis has been burning the midnight oil phoning around to find sufficient players to turn out for this pre-season friendly. 

The side Somerset were eventually able to field comprised 2 First XI squad members returning to fitness, 5 Academy members, 2 from the Potential Somerset Players Programme (PSPP) and 3 from Exeter University.

Having won the t The Cornwall captain, Scott Harvey, dominated proceedings, reaching his 100 from 133 deliveries before retiring out on 108. With Ben Ellis contributing 57 the visitors declared on 257 for nine at the tea interval.

Josh Davey had Ateeq Javid caught behind by James Rew with no score on the board from the 4th ball of the day and bowled 13 0vers, finishing with 1-37 from his 13 overs while Ollie finished with 1-29 off his 12 overs.

After Cornwall’s declaration, Somerset replied with 74 for four, by close of play to trail by 183 runs with James Rew, opening the batting, leading the way with 32 off 80 deliveries. Whether Rew’s elevation to the top of the order has wider significance in a first-team context or was simply a result of selection necessity remains to be seen.

Somerset added 84 runs to their overnight total for the loss of two wickets before declaring on 158/6. Fin Hill top scoring with 42 runs. 

Cornwall’s intent to build quickly on their lead was restricted by some fine bowling notably by Ollie Sale (5-4-5-1) and Jack Harding (9-2-33-3) who reduced the visitors to 127/7 and a lead of 224 before the second declaration. Davey did not bowl in the second innings, hopefully an indication that the target for him in this game had been met and not another recurrence of injury.

By the close of play Somerset’s second innings had reached 88/4 with opener Dylan Church on 29 not out.

The seconds have another 2 day friendly on Tuesday and Wednesday, also at Taunton Cricket Club before they start their second XI championship campaign next Monday.