County Championship Division One, Taunton, Day 4, Yorkshire 162 & 371 beat Somerset 274 & 182 by 75 runs
Keeping the Star Wars theme going for one more day. Although May the 4th sadly referenced the wicket hauls of Yorkshire’s two (which bitterly included ex-Somerset hero Dom Bess) off-spinners.
All you need to know about this game is that, as CrickInfo said this evening, Somerset displayed their, ‘all too familiar top order batting frailty’ in today’s run chase. Archie Vaughan, Tom Lammonby and James Rew, three of Somerset’s top four managed 10 between them this time around having only amassed 19 on Friday afternoon. From 21-3 it was clear for all to see that this was not going to be Somerset’s day, even though when Josh Thomas and Thomas Rew were together there was a faint glimmer of hope for the Taunton faithful the pressure of having already lost four wickets was too much.
Fair play to Yorkshire who looked down and out at the end of day one. It is fair to say they won every session apart from Sunday afternoon thereafter, Saturday morning and Sunday evening decisively and that proved to be enough.
You sensed last evening that the 100 odd runs added in the final session by the Yorkies lower order had turned things there way and so it proved.
But let’s not get carried away with the negatives this early in the season. True another win today would have given Somerset a nice lead for this early in the season but defeat does not mean the title challenge is all over. There is a chunk of me that thinks a revenge win in the penultimate fixture of the season against today’s opponents may be very important.
The Division One table makes very interesting reading after everyone has played four games and with Notts playing Surrey next week much could change if Somerset can win in Cardiff.
And isn’t it fun that Chelmsford is hosting a ‘relegation six-pointer’ where they host Hampshire.
But I digress. The matter in hand for Somerset is to use this game as motivation for a positive performance from Friday. While the aforementioned runs from the top order is a concern (James Rew is human and is allowed an occasional off game) with Archie Vaughan and Tom Lammonby both needing significant contributions to quell any growing rumblings of concern. Jason Kerr’s options may be limited however with TKC out for a good while longer unless Lewis Goldsworthy’s hamstring has healed and/or Tom Banton is back from the IPL. I’m guessing Thomas Rew will be academically committed for the next few weeks which means that Vaughan and Lammonby will retain their places in the side.
As far as the bowlers are concerned you wouldn’t want to leave Lewis, Craig or Alfie out as long as their bodies are willing. If Jack Leach’s neck is healed I’d want him back in the side.
I’m actually feeling remarkably chipper considering. Bring on Friday in Cardiff.
