My Somerset Story

[DjF]

Somerset CCC

When you think of Somerset you think of some of the biggest names in cricket, Ian Botham, Viv Richards, Marcus Trescothick, Andy Caddick etc. To the surprise of many, Somerset are one of three teams not to have ever lifted the county championship trophy along with Gloucestershire and Northants. In fact their latest honours came in 2005 with the T20 cup and although they have come close since no more titles have fallen their way.
Looking at the squad I believe I can bring the four day trophy to Taunton with the possibility of the one day and t20 title as well.

To me it is apparent the batting outclasses the bowling, I will be looking for the players like Trescothick, Hildreth, Compton, the overseas experience of Alviro Petersen to score the bulk of the runs whilst players like Myburgh, Kieswetter and Trego will help to push the score along to maximise the batting bonus points.

Bowling on paper doesn’t look fantastic compared to other teams in the division and I’m looking into maybe bringing in another player before the start of the season. Led by the very experienced Alfonso Thomas hopefully the bowling attack will have the ability to take 20 wickets in a game.

I also need to plan how to give some match time to the younger players in the squad, with the retirement of players like Trescothick soon to be upon us having a player that can walk straight into their spot rather than having to bring in new players will be a bonus.

[DjF]

Contracts
Looking at bowlers I can bring to the club I am unsure what to do, the names standing out are Corey Collymore, Callum Thorp, Gemaal Hussain, Amjad Khan and Luke Evans, the first player I can rule out is Thorp, at the age of 39 the risk of injury and general fatigue seems like a lot to lose for the 55k he wants. Luke Evans seem like a risk also due to his lack of first class experience at only 8 games despite his impressive average of under 26. For similar reasons to Thorp, Corey Collymore is out of the equation as well, leaving us with a dilemma between Hussain and Khan. Both are around the same age and have a similar bowling average but in the end I go for Khan due to his experience.

Planned squad layouts
County Championship
Marcus Trescothick ©
Nick Compton
Alviro Petersen
James Hildreth
Johannes Myburgh
Craig Kieswetter (K)
Peter Trego
Lewis Gregory
Alfonso Thomas
Amjad Khan
George Dockrell

One Day Cup
Craig Kieswetter© (K)
Nick Compton
Alviro Petersen
James Hildreth
Johannes Myburgh
Chris Jones
Lewis Gregory
Craig Overton
Craig Meschede
Alfonso Thomas
George Dockrell

T20
Marcus Trescothick
Craig Kieswetter ©(K)
Alviro Petersen
James Hildreth
Johannes Myburgh
Peter Trego
Lewis Gregory
Adam Dibble
Alfonso Thomas
Dirk Nannes
George Dockrell

[DjF]

Somerset vs Leeds UCCE

We are ready for the three day friendly against Leeds UCCE, conditions are good, it’s an overcast day at Taunton but it looks like a cracking pitch which is full of runs.
We have lost the toss and Leeds have elected to bat first.
Leeds First Innings
Amjad Khan will open the bowling with Alfonso and it only takes 6.4 overs before he takes his first wicket for Somerset, Jon Coates edges one to Kieswetter who takes a fantastic catch behind the stumps and two balls later he claims his second wicket, 21-2.
Some smart bowling before lunch sees three more wickets fall; two go to Trego and one for Gregory as Leeds struggle at 93-5.
As expected the Leeds tail struggles, especially against the spin of Dockrell as he picks up 4 wickets as well as one more for Khan, Leeds all out for 153.
Somerset First Innings
As Trescothick and Compton come out to bat with 48 minutes still to go before tea on day 1 many wonder how Trescothick will play this innings, if he will play see ball hit ball or just spend some time in the middle. The first over goes for 16 with Trescothick hitting 4 successive fours, his intention is clear although a couple of balls later he may wish he took his time a little more as he falls for 16 from 9 deliveries. No more wickets fall before tea as Somerset reach 43-1, 110 behind.
Compton is the next man to fall, he reaches 30 before playing a wild cut shot which is mistimes and edges to the keeper, the next man in Hildreth starts with a wild swing and is caught in the deep on his first ball, 81-3.
Myburgh (8) and Petersen (49) fall before the close of day 1 as Somerset reach 159-5 with Kieswetter and Trego looking in good form.
Unfortunately the form can’t be carried over from one day to the next as Kieswetter is caught and bowled without adding to his overnight score and is out for 31.
At lunch we reach 271-9, more contributions from Trego (25) Gregory (42) and Khan (16) with Thomas and Dockrell hanging on in there.
Fifty for Alfonso Thomas, not exactly who I was expecting to be the first player hit a half century this season but at least someone has in this game, 302-9.
Finally the final wicket falls, Dockrell goes for 40 leaving Thomas on 66 not out, in the end Somerset reach 336 all out, a lead of 183.
Leeds Second Innings
The plan is for the bowlers to treat this as a match scenario where the other team need 183 to win, the aim is for us to bowl out Leeds without us needing to bat again.
As Leeds reach tea they have already lost three wickets, Alfonso taking two and the other to Khan, 25-3.
After an hour of play Leeds are all out for 101, some exceptional bowling from Dockrell sees him take another 4 wickets for just 20 runs and Gregory also chips in with a couple.
We win the game inside two days by an innings and 82 runs

[DjF]

This is a biggie, Yorkshire, the team I regard to be the best county in the country. If we bat like we did against Leeds we have no hope but then again if we bowl in the same way who knows what may happen. There is an unchanged team going up against them from the last game, we have lost the toss again and will bowl first in overcast conditions.

Yorkshire First Innings
An hour in and no break-through yet, the Yorkshire openers look in good touch with Lees on 20 and Lyth 32, 54-0.
With 10 minutes before lunch I bring Dockrell into the attack, it turns out to be a good move as he produces a wicket maiden, taking the important wicket of Lyth (50). They score a couple more runs before lunch and go off 97-1.
No luck at all in the afternoon session, 219-1 at tea, Lees (88*) Root (71*).
The heavens open for 45 minutes after tea but in the reduced session they still score nearly 100 to take them to 310-1 at close of play. Lees (139*) Root (109*).
A win looks unlikely now and even the chance of a draw hangs in the balance.
Yorkshire reach lunch on day 2 421-3 with both overnight batsmen departing, Lees reached 154 and Root 142.
A very strong afternoon session sees Dockrell ripe through the Yorkshire middle order taking another 4 wickets giving him 5. Gregory also takes a couple as Yorkshire reach 539 all out.
Somerset First Innings
The openers walk out at Taunton under the clouds to what looks an impossible task, 539 behind, 389 just to avoid the follow on.
Compton is the first man to go with a very poor shot, he only makes 15 and that’s 31-1.
The quality of Trescothick (38) and Petersen (29) shows for the rest of the session as they fluently score to take the team to 83-1.
Sadly Trescothick doesn’t add to his overnight score and goes on the second ball of day 3, 83-2.
Hildreth follows not to long after only making 15.
We make it to lunch without losing anymore wickets although Myburgh came close with some unnecessary expansive shots 152-3, still 387 behind.
Another wicket falls in the afternoon session, this time Petersen who falls just before the tea for 82, 220-4. A slow session is not what we needed and the decision is made for Myburgh and Kieswetter to try and push on this evening to maybe give us some chance of a result although unlikely.
Before the aggression can even get ramped up 3 quick wickets, Kieswetter, Trego and Gregory go down, 253-7, 137 from the follow on we have to go back to defensive mode.
The Yorkshire bowling is just too good as we are all out for 296, 243 behind and at this point we our asked to follow on.
Somerset Second Innings
The batsmen’s frustration is apparent as Trescothick smashes the ball to all parts before falling on the final ball of the day for 44 off 21, 50-1, still trailing by 193.
It doesn’t take long before the pressure to get to the batsmen and the wickets begin to tumble, Compton, Hildreth and Myburgh all fall in quick succession.
Petersen, Trego and Gregory also depart and Kieswetter decides the best form of defence is to attack as he smashes his way to 68 before falling the same way, 201-8.
It only takes a few more overs for Yorkshire to finish the job as we crumble to a terrible defeat of an innings and 29 runs.

[DjF]

Durham vs Somerset

We have an unchanged team to play Durham which I hope will play a lot better than they did against Yorkshire.
We have lost the toss in overcast conditions and unsurprisingly we are invited to bat.
Somerset First Innings
In the 4th over disaster strikes as we lose Trescothick who misses a great ball from Rushworth and is bowled middle stump scoring only 2.
Compton and Petersen make a reasonable recovery but then Petersen plays a terrible stroke and is bowled by Borthwick bringing Hildreth to the crease. With only 15 runs to his name from 3 innings including 2 ducks it is imperative he finds some form now with the score 45-2.
Thankfully Hildreth (37*) looks in great nick today as he and Compton (35*) take the score to 102-2 at lunch.
20 minutes after lunch both batsmen successfully reach the 50 landmark as they begin to up the tempo.
With an hour until tea Hildreth takes one risk to many is out for 72, bowled Borthwick caught Arshad, 163-3.
We reach tea 230-4, Myburgh the only other man to fall who never looked settled for his 18 runs, Compton is leading the charge on 86 accompanied by Kieswetter on 13.
Century for Compton! He reaches 100 off 223 balls, a good innings with the wickets falling around him, 277-4 with an hour until day 1 close.
An over after Compton’s success Kieswetter reaches 50.
We reach the end of the day without losing another wicket with the score 377-4, Compton (148*) and Kieswetter (90*).
It’s a gorgeous start for the second day in Durham and the batsmen are looking to carry on where they left off on their way to maximum bonus points.
Second ball of the day and Compton brings up his 150 with a strong shot for 2.
Kieswetter is out for 98, a brilliant innings coming off 112 balls including 12 fours and 2 sixes.
Trego punches his first ball for 4 bringing up 400 and maximum batting bonus points.
In the next hour some furious batting led by Trego (57*) takes us to 526 all out. He was ably assisted by Compton who finally departed for (168), Gregory (13) and Thomas (35).


Durham First Innings
With 40 minutes still remaining of the morning session the bowlers get to it.
Durham tentatively get some bat on ball for the rest of the session as they reach 25 without loss.
The first wicket after lunch however we make a breakthrough as Khan gets the wicket of Stonemen who is out plum lbw.
1 more wicket goes down in the afternoon session as Dockrell picks up his first as he bowls Jennings for 21. Sangakkara and Borthwick look untroubled for the rest of the session as they reach 130-2 at tea, however a couple of overs later Sangakkara is Dockrell’s next victim as he departs for 70.
No more wickets fall before close of play and the day ends with Durham 246-3, Borthwick (90*) Collingwood (40*)
Some top quality bowling to start the day as the great Alfonso takes 3 quick wickets, Collingwood, Richardson then Muchall before Dockrell sees an end to Borthwick at the first bowling change, they stop for lunch at 338-7, still needing 39 to avoid the follow on.
Durham lose 3 quick wickets after lunch, 2 going to Thomas the other to Dockrell as they can only manage 359, 18 runs short of the follow on target, with no hast I invited them to bat again.

Durham Second Innings
So here we go, nearly an hour and a half of the afternoon session on day 3 and Durham begin their second innings trailing by 167 runs.
Durham reach 59-1 at tea, Jennings the only man to depart, still trailing by 108.
A great evening session for us sees five wickets shared between the bowlers as Durham struggle to 143-6 still 24 behind.
Khan starts day 4 in perfect style, 2 wickets to his name.
A small fight back from the Durham tail-enders gives them a lead before Khan picks up his 4th of the innings and Thomas adds another to his name as Durham are all out for 196, just 29 runs ahead.

Somerset Second Innings
Despite losing Nick Compton for a first ball duck unsurprisingly we cruise to a 9 wicket win.

[DjF]

Sussex vs Somerset

We’re down at Hove for today’s game taking on Sussex who currently sit top of the table with a win from both their opening games. Looking at their previous games this year it appears there bowling is their strongest discipline, this also shows as they are the only team that currently have maximum bowling points.
We lose the toss on a beautiful day for batting, early inroads will be key.


Sussex First Innings
Khan opens the bowling with success in his first over, Wells is dismissed lbw for a second ball duck.
The session turns into a disaster for the home side as they lose another six wickets before lunch; Khan picks up another two with Thomas taking the big wickets of Nash and Joyce, Gregory and Dockrell also chip in with one each 77-7.
We start well as Khan takes the wicket of Luke Wright in the first over after lunch, shortly after Anyon is dismissed by Dockrell before a small partnership from Magoffin (23) and Lewis takes them to 113 all out.
Somerset First Innings
With the weather still looking beautiful our openers walk to the crease with 58 minutes of the session remaining looking to capitalize on the conditions.
Sadly our innings gets off to a similar start to theirs as Trescothick is dismissed for 1 by Chris Jordan.
Compton (2) is the next man to go, also dismissed by Jordan before Alviro Petersen goes the same way. Magoffin then comes to the party picking up his first of the game seeing the back of Hildreth, 29-4.
Myburgh and Kieswetter hold on until tea, 47-4 – still trailing by 66 runs.
It doesn’t take long before Jordan to strike, Kieswetter and Trego go in the same over as Jordan claims 5, Lewis then see’s the back of Myburgh, 66-7.
Starts from Thomas (18*), Khan (15) and Dockrell (10) takes us to 110 all out, only 3 behind Sussex with Jordan finishing with 6-40.
Sussex Second Innings
With 45 minutes of day 1 still to go we proceed with the restart.
You may or may not be surprised to hear that Sussex lose a wicket in the first over, Khan picks up the wicket of Nash who can only manage 1.
Wells and Ed Joyce look untroubled for the rest of the day as they reach 28-1 at close of play.
With day 2 underway it doesn’t take long before the great Alfonso makes a breakthrough picking up two early wickets, Joyce and Cachopa, however these are the only wickets to fall in the morning session as Sussex reach 147-3.
Sussex press on in the afternoon session but after seeing 50’s for Wells and Wright they begin to lose wickets, Gregory takes 3 before Dockrell and Thomas clean up the rest and Sussex are all out for 249, Luke Wright the only really notable score with 94.
Somerset Second Innings
So 253 to win and plenty of time to do it, you really could say it is ours to lose but with Sussex’s bowling record I am not feeling confident.
Trescothick proves me to be right as he goes for a duck in Magoffin’s first over, 0-1.
Compton is the next man to go, he manages 6, 17-2. 236 to win
Play is suspended not long after due to poor light and day 2 comes to a close as we reach 39-2, 214 behind.
A solid start from our batsmen on day 3 in overcast conditions, Petersen and Hildreth look in good touch until 15 minutes before lunch Petersen is out for 47, 91-3.
Myburgh walks to the crease knowing he is short of runs, the perfect chance for him to spend some time in the middle.
Despite a careful approach Hildreth and Kieswetter also depart before lunch as we go into the break 100-5, still 153 behind, a huge target under the circumstances.
Myburgh is out in the first over after lunch for 3, we are doomed.
Trego and Gregory try hard to turn it around but both can only make it to the high 30’s before departing, with little resistance from the tail we are bowled out for 196, Sussex win by 56 runs.