Somerset
Hampshire - "Top of the World Ma!!" - At the Utilita
By Grockle
April 17 2026
Lewis Gregory starts for the first time this season in the CC1. He comes in with Alfie Ogborne who replaces Josh Shaw in this side. It's dry so we will start on time with us bowling after losing the toss.
CC1 v Hampshire @The Utilita Bowl Southampton Friday 17 April 2026
We have lost the toss and will bowl first on a dry semi-clear day that is getting better as the hours go on. The side is;
Archie Vaughan, Josh Thomas, Tom Lammonby, James Rew (w), Tom Abell, Will Smeed, Lewis Gregory (c), Craig Overton, Jack Leach, Jake Ball, Alfie Ogborne.
The skipper plays his first 4 day game of the season and Alfie returns after not being used last week (because of Harmer it seems). Josh Shaw loses out alng with the injury restricted TKC and Lewis Goldsworthy (both 'subbed' in Essex). The county has not bowed to England pressure and used Rew as an opener though his brother Thomas has been seen at the ground which caused some speculation.
Sonny Baker is in the Hampshire line-up but he will have to wait as Hampshire have won the toss and will bat first. We open the attack with Alfie from the Hotel end and then Jake Ball from the pavilion against Albert and Gubbins.
It's all going swimmingly for the home side until their media manager comes in to say 'Well we haven't lost a wicket' at which point Gubbins is sharply caught by Gregory off the bowling of Ogborne for 7 from 15 at 25 for 1 in the 7th.
The first change comes in the 11th when Craig comes on at the hotel end and it is even more suprising that Jack Leach takes the 12th from the pavilion and he has a decent shout from his first ball. He is however hit for six by Prest into the pavilion seats. He isn't there as a 'change ends' option it seems as he comes in for the second so the question then becomes 'Is Gregory fit to bowl'?
The Hampshire 50 arrives in the with a three run drive towards the boundary. 52 for 1 with Prest on 27 and Albert on 27. Craig bowls the next and Prest is tentative and gets enough to snick it Rew 51 for 2 as Lehmann arrives at the middle. Craig takes 1 for 5 in his 3rd as the worry is eleviated as Lewis Gregory does come on at the pavilion.
The skipper is very unlucky at 70 for 2 when he has a very strong appeal for LBW which looked very very close against Lehmann. The opinion (except for the umpire) is that it was 'crashing into leg stump'. Not long after the umpires agree to a ball change. 20 overs completed and the home side are 70/2 with Albert on 38 and Lehmann on 6.
Gregory has Albert also playing tentatively and he guides the ball to the keeper and he goes at 75 for 3 for 42 from 74 balls bringing in Brown. He is immediately facing Alfie who is brought back at the hotel end. However the skipper is the one getting significant movement and is unlucky again. However, the next ball Brown hangs the bat out and is caught by Overton at 85 for 4 and Mayes replaces him with nothing to show off his 6 balls. The wicket was probably deserved for the ball before but Hampshire have lost 3 to prods and this has been their first session. Lewis Gregory has 2 for 15 from 5.
Not sure that Alfie trying to bounce young Lehmann at his pace on this pitch is a good strategy as he keeps getting dipatched by the Aussie. It may be a team idea but it isn't working all that well at the moment. At 97 for 4 it may be worth the try though. We'll see I suppose.
Mayes brings up the 100 with his first boundary off Gregory in the 28th at 102 for 4. There have been a number of edgs to the third man boundary during this morning from the Somerset skipper. It's short on the western side and there is a question about whether there ought to be another slip or a sharp gully. 110 for 4 as Archie Vaughan takes the one before lunch from the hotel. We go to lunch on 112 for 4 with Lehmann on 28 (36) and Mayes on 14 from (20). 29 overs have been bowled and all is presently alright in the Somerset world.
Jake Ball is back at the Pavilion end for the first after lunch to Lehmann. Craig joins him as the first post lunch attack from the hotel end. He is the one who gets the first afternoon chance but Archie does not hold on to a decent one in the gully. Mayes gets a life but he does not survive the next Ball over as he has him LBW for 15 at 119 for 5. In comes that man Dawson who scores 4 and then just flips an Overton ball to Ogborne at square leg and departs... softly at 124 for 6. Yusuf replaces him But he is only there until the next over from COve who has him LBW at 126 without scoring from his 11. Somerset have taken 3 for 14 since lunch and the ball seems to be moving more this afternoon than it did this morning.
Kyle Abbott arrives at the middle with a job to do against his favourite side. Lehmann is the base of this innings now and he moves towards 50 while the bowler quickly heads into the 20s. Meanwhile the umpires are looking at the ball again and it will be changed again. The young Aussie move to 50 with 6 fours off 65 balls at 163 for 7. Jack then is on for the 43rd at the hotel. But Abbott is out to Gregory caught behind at 173 for 8 for 25 from 31 balls. Lehmann is now the 'farmer' of the strike as Jack (Eddie) appears and it looks very much like Leach is getting turn from the ball at the hotel end. These backend partnerships are testing SOmerset's patience but at least it suggests that the wickets does allow the bats to play their games, Lehmann drives a ball that is tossed up by Jack, giving it probably what it deserved and bringing up the 200 in the 49th over and taking the Hampshire man to 66.
Alfie takes over from his skipper at the Pavilion but it is at the other end that runs are coming as Jack Leach is working against Eddie Jack with the Hampshire bat getting the best of it at the moment. The Somerset spinner has gone for 45 from 7 so one wonders why he is still bowling. He is still bouncing the bats but getting nowhere with them.
Somerset turn to Craig again for the 53rd to see if they can clear up this rather stubborn tail. He tries to bounce Jack and the ball goes for 4 byes and brings up the 50 partnership in 58 balls at 224 for 8. Alfie is replaced by Archie Vaughan at the pavilion. Jack hits another over but it is stopped on the boundary. he tries again 2 balls later and doesn't get as much of it and it lands in the hands of Jack Leach. He goes at 231 for 9 for his highest first class score of 36 from 45 balls. In comes Baker for his first CC1 game against his former county?
The innings ends at 238 as Lehmann feathers the ball to Rew and Archie leaves with a wicket. Lehmann has produced a very good 76 for the second time in 3 overs (the other was 92). They will take an early Tea and then we'll see how this pitch is for the Somerset men.
Kyle Abbott (74 wickets against Somerset) bowls the first after Tea. Thomas faces Yusuf and goes second ball just snicking the ball to the keeper. In comes Tom Lammonby early once again. He is replaced by the other Tom as he drives at ball he should not have gone for. Albert takes a good low catch at 25 for 14. He knows he should not have hit that one. Poor choice of shot. In comes James Rew to finish Abbott's wicket maiden.
Vaughan is looking organised as this pair move towards a a 50 but fail at 49 as Archie looks to keep a pull down and it caught by Yusuf at fine leg. 74 for 3. He scored 32 from 57 and Baker gets his first. Tom Abell is the next man in with 17 and a bit overs to remain.
Dawson is introduced into the game for the 22nd over and Abell greets him with a flick for six. 100 comes up for Somerset at the end of the 24th with Rew on 37 from 51 and TA on 15 from 18. Abbott returns as the runs mount up with still over 10 overs to go before the end of play and the light looking strong for the next hour at least.
Nelson arrives courtesy of an Abell four and these two seem to be settling into this game. Another four takes us off the problem score. The 50 partnership arrives from 65 balls at 125 for 3. James takes 50 with a four from 74 balls. 53 runs with 9 fours at 129 for 3 - his 13th first class 50 and he has been known to convert the odd one or so. Tom Abell meanwhile is supporting with 28 fom 34 balls. By the end of that 31st over, James has already moved to 61 and the Abbott has gone for four boundaries in six balls.
Yusuf is back to end the day from the hotel end as Dawson replaces Abbott at the pavilion. Dawson bowls his last and we see the first Rew sweep of the day - but there is only an over to go so we may be OK. The last over starts at 144 for 3 at 6:30. It will be bowled by Yusuf and James seems keen to keep the scoring going as he takes two from the first ball with a very committed second run effort. The 150 arrives with a genuine snick for four as the Somerset keeper moves to 73 from 93. He then cover drives for four to end the day in style. 154 for 3 after 36 overs with Rew on 77 and his partner Tom Abell on 29.
Day 2
A much brighter and sunnier day today with dry conditions and dare I say it, even a bit of heat in the air - though it is still 'Spring' fresh. We will start on time with Somerset 84 runs behind the home side's first innings with 7 wickets in hand and probably our strongest partnership in the middle of James Rew (how long before the English come to their senses and pick this man) and the in form Tom Abell (I still find it impossible to believe that he has never been considered for an international cap). In the wings we have the bat of Will Smeed who must be desperate to put his credentials on show in the longer format and the bats of skipper Gregory and Craig Overton fresh off his Essex hundred. Alfie, Jack and Jake will be looking to support these guys into the bonus points and beyond that Jake Ball 'fault line' at the third attempt.
At the stroke of 11, Abbott bowls to Abell from the Pavilion end. After that Sonny gets an early look at Day 2 from the hotel end and Rew also gets back into the game. The first hour is pretty crucial to Hampshire with the hope of some life in the pitch although nothing in the first half hour is suggesting much at all. Both Abbott and Baker have been working hard to find chinks in the Somerset armour but as Rew moves into the 80s and Abell moves into the 40s the defence looks pretty solid presently.
Yusuf comes onb first change for Abbot and Rew slices his second ball straight to Lehmann at point and he goes for 86 off 115 at 175 for 4 at the 100 partnership. A lapse in concentration with another beckoning. In comes Will Smeed for his first full red ball game.
And he gets a good initial 'seeing to' by the Hampshire bowlers as Yusuf and the second change Dawson make it very hard for the new man to get off the mark. After facing 23 ball he gets one through the infield and starts with a 4 to the Igleby-McKenzie boundary. It seems that Hampshire are giving Tom A the single so that Dawson can have a go at Will in his early red ball career. Looking to take advantage of the 'newness' of this position to the young Somerset bat. Yusuf tries to bounce him however and Smeed hooks him to the hotel boundary. Later in the same over he tries the same, gets more on it and because of that he puts it into Baker's hands at long leg and he goes for 9 at 191 for 5. So the temptation worked in the end and the red ball education of Will Smeed will continue.
A bit of a surprise as Craig Overton comes out before his captain. Maybe this is just because he is top of the first class averages after his 141 career best last week following on from the 60ish he made against Notts. Tom Abell does not get to 50 as Dawson gets one past him at 49 into the hands of the keeper. 193 for 6 he goes caught by Brown bowled by Dawson and Hampshire's better Day 2 morning continues. They still trail by 45.
A straight four from the bat of Craig Overton off the last ball of the 56th over brings up the 200 for Somerset at 202 for 6. Kyle Abbott returns for the 57th and Lewis Gregory gets off the mark with 2 runs splitting the infield from his second ball of the new spell. Abbott however immediately retorts with a big inswinger that the Somerset captain leaves and then watches it cannon into his off stump. He is bowled for two at 204 for 7 and a Hampshire first ininngs lead is now very much on the cards as the morning score goes to 50 for 4.
Leachy joins COve with a need for a solid partnership between these two to at least get us into the 240s. Thats 240 odd bonus point chase scenario is looking possible again with Jake Ball sitting inthe wings waiting with his bat and pads all ready!!
Dawson in particular this morning has certainly found his length and line from the hotel end though Yusuf has also bowled much better today than he did yesterday. Before the lunch break we will get another bit of Sonny from the Pavilion, taking over from Abbott as we move into the last 20 minutes or so. They would like to be coming out after lunch with a slight lead and that would be a most succesful result for the home side.
It is quite a fraught session up until the interval with the Somerset bats not at all comfortable against the Hampshire attack and the bowlers desperate to get through the tail and get their men back in the middle with willow in their hands. Baker bowls amaiden , his second of the 13 delivered in this innings withfigures of 1 for 36. Dawson has improved his overnight stats to 1 for 38 from his 14 and a bit overs. But Craig is still making them work for it as he adds 4 to Dawson's figures as we reach the lunch interval. 214 for 7 after 66 overs sees Somerset going off with Craig Overton on 18 and Jack Leach on 2. Certainly Hampshire's first session today.
Jack faces the first ball from Yusuf at the start of the middle session of Day 2, 24 runs behind the Hampshire first innings score with Alfie and Jake still in the hutch and Somerset still 36 from a batting bonus point!! Dawson is the initial partner this afternoon as they try to winkle out this very wary batting pair. They have moved the score to 231 for 7 when the first afternoon change is made as Baker returns at the Pavilion end replacing Yusuf. Jack cuts him for four to move to within 2 runs of a tied score another single moves them to within 1 and a guided shot from Overton creates parity with another quick single.
Jack then adds another boundary at the end of the over to move Somerset into a first innings lead at 242 for 7... just 8 runs from that batting bonus point!! Craig stretches out to one he ought to have left and only succeeds in shovelling it to Nick Gubbins who gratefully holds on to send the bowler back for 30 at 242 for 8 off Dawkins. Out comes Alfie Ogborne to try and NOT put Jake in that position again of needing single figures to move us to another bonus point. It does not look hopeful. A sliced boundary from Alfie ends the Baker over and then Dawson gives the single to Leach to get Ogborne on strike and we move to 248. The young left hander blocks the over out and we move on. The 250 finakllky arrives in the 78th over from the bat of Jack Leach off the bowling of Liam Dawson. Jake will not have to save a batting point in this innings... unless of course these two add another 40 odd before he arrives at the crease.
Alfie calls Jack through for a run but then baulks with his partner halfway down the crease. Leach has to return and doesn't make it. Ogborne's mistake runs the spinner out at 250 for 9 and out comes Jake Ball. Every ball of the next Baker over could have got Ball if it had been straight but he survives. After that Dawson get some tap from Alfie who hits the spinner for four and then a straight six to take us to 260. He then takes a single off the fifth and Ball blocks out the last delivery with the old ball. They don't seem to have taken it though at the start of the 80th. Alfie is not taking singles and that may force the new ball at the start of the next over as Somerset seem to be happy for Ball to face the spin. In comes Jack and Hampshire take the new ball. Jake gets off strike with a bye first ball. Alfie takes the last ball on and scoops it for six. That prompts Abbott to take over bowling duties at pavilion end. Jake then edges for four and these two have put on 22 so far. In the next over Alfie takes Jack for another six into the midwicket seats before changing ends with a ball to go . 279 for 9. A four off Abbott moves Ogborne into the 30s and he keeps going with a full spirited boundary at the end of the over to move us to 287 for 9. He steals the strike once more. The lead is now 50. Jack then gets one that he smashes back to the bowler and he is caught and bowled for 38 from 50 balls - an excellent fighting last wicket from the young man.
So a lead of 50 and a distinct increase in Alfie's average of 6. He increases his best score from 12 to 38. Cody Yusuf's best bowling figures is his shortish career for Hampshire and a much better bowling performance from the resident bowlers overall today than yesterday evening.
Lewis opens the second innings bowling attack against Albert and Gubbins with Alfie back in the action immediately as his new ball partner from the pavilion. During the 6th over as Albert goes for a quick single something has gone at the back of his left knee and after some onfield treatment, he retires hurt on 17 and Prest comes out at number 3 at 22 for 0
Craig takes over for the 8th over of the innings from the pavilion at 28 without loss. His first is a maiden - not for the first time this season. Leach comes on in a double change from the hotel end replacing his boss and the game stumbles on with nothing really happening until the Tea interval arrives at 4:06 with 38 on the board for no loss. Prest has moved on to 3 and Gubbins is on 18 with 12 overs gone in the second innings. Leach has given 9 runs from his 2 overs while Craig has only gone for 1 run from his.
A little aside. The announcer kept getting my attention by mentioning Botham's name more than once during the day. I simply assumed that the 'Somerset Icon' was here for some reason but none of that. It seems he has a restaurant on the ground called "Beefy's" linked to the Hilton hotel on the ground. Won't be rushing there to see what's on the menu any time soon. They also make the same mistake we do at Taunton. There is not such person as "Lord Ian Botham". He's either "Lord Botham" (of some rotten borough or other) or he's Ian Botham, mixing the two is a bastardisation of the title (may even be appropriate in the eyes of some).
Anyway back from the land of dreams.
We return for stage 3 of Day 2 and Jack is straight into the bwoling attack. He is in tandem with Craig from the pavilion to start with and there are 31 overs left in the days play. The Hampshire 50 and parity between the two teams once more arrives in the 16th over with Gubbins on 24 and Prest on 9.
Very little is happening and at 67 without loss in the 20th over we turn to Lewis Gregory at the Pavilion. However very little seems to be moving here and with 19 overs to go in the day Somerset move to the dual spin option as Archie Vaughan joins Leach bowling from the pavilion at 84 for 0.
In the 28th over Hampshire pass the 100 run mark with Gubbins on 46 being caught up by Prest who has moved to 40. One has to remember that there has been no loss of wickets. Albert is receiving treatment for an injury and may well return tomorrow at the loss of one of these two whenever that happens. There seems to be very little life in the surface at the moment with the two spinners having very different experiences with the strip. Jack has bowled 11 overs for 42 runs while Archies has gone for 13 from his 2. Gubbins in fact passes 50 with 8 fours from 96 balls at 108 and the present partnership between these two is 87 runs from 140 balls. Nothing is presently happening quickly but that 'nothing' includes no loss of wickets as the home side extend teir lead towards the end of the second day of this game. We are quite well into this game with half the time remaining. It likely that Hampshire will be 100 runs ahead without any loss by the end of today given we still have 14 overs left in the day's play.
Ball replaces Jack at the hotel for the 31st over and gets immediate results as Prest goes to his first ball for 42 after 64 balls LBW on the leg stump. 113 for 1 after an 92 run partnership. Lehmann is the next man in. Archie stays on at the other end though we are yet to be convinced that there is a gret deal in this present strip for the slow men - even though Dawson suggested there might be earlier in the day.
The wicket has flattened, the game has flattened and it has got very very chilly once the sun has gone away. with 5 overs left to go, Jack is brought on at the pavilion end ot see if there is anything there for him - there seemed to be little happening at the hotel end. Gubbins is into the 60s and Lehmann has neraly reached double figures. the smattering of a crowd left seems to be all those who brought big coats and jumpers and we a ll seem to be pretty much setting up for tomorrow, though what the pitch will hav in store is a bit of a mystery. Jack bowls a maiden with 2 to go and the 150 mght be on the cards before the end of play as Alfie bowls his last for the day. It ends at 146 for 1. Jack finishes out the day's play with another maiden. Gubbins ends on 70 from 143 and Lehmann has 16 from 40. We have had 44 overs of the innings and we'll all be back tomorrow for more fun and frolics.
Day 3
Lehmann faces Ball at the start of this decisive day of the four in this game. The early session of this day may very well decide the path of this game. A session like after Tea yesterday may take this game away from the visitors while a successful morning may make for a competitive Day 4. We'll see how it goes. No info about the injury to Toby Albert yesterday no 'sub' news is probably good news as it would increase the criticism of the pilot scheme if it was suddenly announced that he had been subbed and the sub would bat in this innings!!
We await announcements with bated breath. The Pavilion opening duties are allocated to Craig Overton withhis first ball also going to Lehmann as he got a single in the first over to move Hampshire closer to the first target of 150 and a 100 run lead for the loss of 1 wicket (but possibly 2 bats).
The 150 arrives in the 48th but it doesn't look all that hopeful that there is life back in this strip this morning. Not a lot of indication of that in the early stages of the day. Overton is still pumping out the maidens but the bats don't look in any trouble at all presently.
By the 53rd over Somerset have had a look and they introduce Jack Leach at first change from the pavilion. We'll have to see if they have seen something interesting or there is little there for anyone. The spinner is in without any overs from Ogborne or Gregory this morning at all. Well a reverse sweep from Gubbins suggests some level of confidence against the spin. However, the next ball Jack gets one to slip past into the hands of Overton for a very low first slip catch. Gubbions goes after adding 13 to his overnight score to go to 83 from 170 balls at 184 for 2. Out comes Toby Albert for the second time after haviong a bit of a rest of whatever 'niggle' he had last night that took him off. He restarts with 17 to his name as well - his score when retiring last evening.
There is also a change at the other end as Gregory has a go for the first time on Day 3. He gets early success sending Albert back to hutch early for 22 LBW in the 57th over at 191 for 3. Out comes skipper Ben Brown who got very little in the first innings. He gets off the mark early and that will be a confidence builder for him. The 200 arrives and Somerset introduce Alfie Ogborne from the pavilion end. He is the next one to keep his county in this game as Lehmann passes 50 from 94 balls with a four at 222/3. The 'double Nelson' jinx hits though as Alfie bowls him next ball to bring in Mayes at 222 for 4. Jack is wheeling in from the pavilion while his side are shuffling the bowlers at the other end in this first session.
Eventually he is replaced by Archie to take us up to the lunch break and we see Alfie replaced by the other left arm option in Tom Lammonby for a couple before the interval. Hampshire meanwhile pass the 250 score and are 265 at the break with Mayes still looking to pass 20 while his skiper Brown has jiust moved into the 40s. An up and down session overall with the pitch suggesting life before falling asleep again. The home side are 215 runs ahead with 6 wickets left and Somerset need to breakthrough a little more consistently to stay in this one.
After the break Archie and Jake get the ball and the next move forward in the Somerset plan comes when Archie bowls Mayes in his second post lunch over at 269 for 5 with the bat making 19 and adding very little to the afternoon. This brings Liam Dawson into the middle.
Ball takes the new ball at 80 overs with 275 on the scoreboard while Brown waits for Archie's next to go to a 75 ball personal 50 as he moves his side to 278 for 5. fo The wickets do keep coming though as Dawson is caught by Tom Abell for 10 from 17 at 287 for 6 off the bowling of Vaughan and Abbott arrives to replace him.
The Hampshire 300 arrives with a glance to the hotel boundary at the end of the 88th over with Abbott on 4 and Brown on 60. It also prompts a change as Overton comes on to bowl from that end and is immediately flipped for four to the pavilion by Brown. It becomes a double change as we return to a seam attack with Lewis Gregory taking over at the Pavilion and he immediately gets results as Brown is bowled by one that moves a long way. He goes for a very solid 66 from 104 balls at 310 for 7 - a lead of 260. In comes Yusuf. However Lewis concentrates again in his next one and has Abbott driving indecisively at one which also bowls him with the addition of only 1 ball to 311/8. He goes for 5 from 12 and in comes Jack and he finds the runs are hard to comer by at the moment though in his first few overs there is so little movement between the bats that he hardly faces. At the other end Yusuf is also finding getting the ball of the cut strip - he has only moved to 9 from the 21 he has faced. Jack finally gets off the mark after 7.
Spin returns through Vaughan at the Pavilion for the 96th over but it seems to have been to get Gregory at the other end as that change then happens. Despite being stubborn the Hampshire bats are not getting much for their efforts and the change of the skipper to the other end works as he gets the ball to move to Jack and he is bowled for 2. 328 for 9 brings Sonny Baker to the crease and they immediately look to be going for it to get the score over 350 if they can while possibly leaving a couple of overs at the Somerset openers this side of Tea.
The skipper has the last word as he has Baker LBW for 4 at 336. It takes his figures to 5 for 42 with the last four wickets from 2 different ends, gets him clapped from the field and leaves his side needing 287 to win this game. It keeps on turning this game. The sides have taken Tea with 39 overs left in the day.
The final phase starts with Kyle Abbott bowling to Archie Vaughan after the Tea interval and he nearly has him first ball!! Oh what fun we have watching this side open innings after innings in red ball cricket!! Josh gets off the mark with a single against Yusuf.
After 5 overs with everyone having had a good look at everyone else, the score has moved to 21 with Vaughan on 19 and Thomas on 2. Wonder who is taking the lead role here? There is a change in the bowling as Baker takes over at the hotel at 25 for 0. Archie seems to have the measure of the bowler he will have seen a lot of and looks comfortable. Yet again however, he gives his wicket away by sending a ball he hits well straight into the hands of fielder on the boundary when he seem to be in no trouble. He goes for 30 at 33 for 1 caught by Gubbins and he knows he has given his wicket away the moment he hits the ball. He walks of after smacking his bat against his pad. He knows he has made a mistake there and has given Sonny his wicket for the second time in the same game. Out comes Tom Lammonby.
Hampshire ring the changes as Liam Dawson comes on at the hotel end for the 12th at 45 for 1 but it is also a move to change Bakler's ends as he then returns at the Pavilion for the 13th. This works as he has Thomas LBW for 9 in his first over at that end. Can't say Josh ever looked comfortable to any of the 28 balls he faced to be honest. James Rew is the next man to the middle at 47 for 2, 239 from victory.
Soon after the new man arrives, Tom Lammonby takes Somerset over 50 in 13.1 overs with himself standing at 8 from 12 and his partner with 1 from the 2 he has faced. But not long after that he does the same as Archie did to the fast man and pulls the ball straight to a fielder - Yusuf and departs at 52 for 3 for 9 bringing Tom Abell to the crease and the most important partnership of the game starts. This pairing will decide the game one imagines as Sonny Baker eyes the possiblity of a five-fer against his former county.
Tom A does not look comfortable either and is finding runs hard to find. James moves to 31 from the 40 he has faced but the score is still very slow as Dawson bowls a maiden 24th with 15 left in the day. Yusuf returns for the 25th.
The next item of notice is a 50 partnership between the two Somerset men with 52 off 78 balls at 104 for 3. Which means I missed the 100 coming up just before it. With 10 overs left to go in the day's play, James 38 from the 55 bvalls he has faced while his partner has 14 from his 38. Kyle Abbott is still a danger however as his 29th over is a maiden. There is still quite a lot of this game to go and very little is certain at this point in time. The last 10 of Day 3 start with Dawson coming in to Rew.
Abbott bowls another maiden for the 33rd with 6 overs to go in the day as the runs needed fall below 170 but none of the ones they are getting are easy. James Rew goes to 50 with a SWEEP in 81 minutes off 71 balls with 8 fours. His second 50 in this game. Eddie Jack comes on with 5 to go and we move to 132 with 3 to go.
Dawson finishes his day with 14 overs 2 maidens 0 for 44 at the 150 behind mark of 136 for 3. Jack bowls the last (the 39th) and the day ends on 139 for 3 with Rew on 58 from 82 and Abell on 27 from 71 balls. Somerset need 148 runs and Hampshire need 7 wickets. Pretty simple really. A consistent and coherent performance from Somerset and a day with quite a few twists and turns in it. We'll see if there are any more to come before the end of this one.
Day 4
Well here we are everyone. This game will be over about an hour before Tea. One way or the other. Presently we need less than 150 with two accomplished middle order bats at the crease on a dry and sunny April day. Hampshire have an accomplished bowling attack who would like to see the back of 3 Somerset bats before the lunch break with 3 figures still needed. The optimists see this as Somerset having this in the bag. The Somerset fans who have been here before are cautiously hoping things pan out logically...
So we start the day with James Rew over the 50 mark once more batting with partner Tom Abell who is moving in that direction. The required runs are 148. Sonny Baker is coming in from the hotel with a five-fer in his sights. Tom Abell is facing first up after last night - he may be the hidden gem in this equation because if Somerset need someone to stand up and be counted then he is the one who may very well do that if he remains at the crease for any period of time.
Abbott comes in from the other end and he starts the heart going as he has Rew in two minds about leaving one. He doesn't and is caught behind for 59 at 141 for 4. First one goes... and in comes Smeed with a red ball job to do. There are suggestions that there might be a bit of reverse swing for Abbott in this ball although it less than 50 overs old.
The 150 arrives as Will shows he can play shots in difficult situations. At 160 for 4 at the start of the 48th over in comes Liam Dawson with a possible hope he can tempt Smeed into something 'injudicious'. He has a tough dropped catch to Yusuf early in his over. It would have been a blinder had he taken it but he did get enough hand on it to slow the ball down so it is calssified as a 'drop'. However 'no harm no foul' and the over ends at 162 for 4.
Yusuf replaces Abbott at the Pavilion end after his first spell. At 183 for 4 Tom A goes to 50 off 118 balls with only 3 fours. It has been a job of work for the Somerset man and he fully deserves it for that wonderful gift he has of 'patience'. At 187 Jack comes on to replace Dawson at the hotel for a spell as the 'runs required' reaches the 100 mark. He was the bowler who looked the man most likely to give runs last night and so if you are going to use him it has to be now because if the rate continues to fall he may not be useful the other side of the lunch break. He rewards the faith by getting Smeed caught by Lehmann for 22 at 188 for 5. As in the first innings, out comes Craig Overton ahead of his captain once again. Dawson then changes ends at the same time to twirl in from the Pavilion for the 59th replacing Yusuf.
Craig comes up the wicket to Dawson and the message to him when that happens is HIT THE BALL. He doesn't and is bowled by Dawson for 4 from 12. They need 90 and now it is a 50:50 game I'd say. In comes Lewis Gregory and on comes Sonny Baker to ask him a few things before lunch. All Craig managed to do was get us over the 200. We have to hope this partnership see us home though the 'collywobbles' are still there as we move below 70 needed.
In comes Prest for an over of spin before lunch and we finish the sessions at 223 for 6 with Abell on 65 (152 balls) and Gregory on 11 off 22. We need 60 odd and they need 4 wickets. It's still be no means a certainty in any sense of the word.
Kyle Abbott has been moved to the hotel end for the start of what will be the last session. The Hampshire side must have been seeing spin from the Pavilion end so they have moved their danger seamer to the other end. He will bowl to the man they want to see the back of in Tom Abell
We reach 234 with 4 balls to go to the new ball and the Hampshire question will be "Do we take the newbie id this one is reverse swinging and giving us spin". It's a debate with over 50 runs still required. Abbott is definitely asking questions and there are locals here who reckon Hampshire should give Prest another over from the Pavilion given the things he got it to do in the over just before the lunch interval. it is all a bit tense out there at the moment.
We move it under 50 required off Dawson in the 79th with and excellent four from Tom. Hampshire may very well throw the new ball to Sonny in a couple of overs and hope for something if nothing happens before then. Abbott has one more over to contribute to this game perhaps with the 80th. 245 for 6 at 80 overs and Dawson continues with the new ball.
At 247 we reach the Abell/Gregory 50 partnership and the runs required falls to 40. Abbott continues from the hotel. The 250 arrives just after that in the 82nd over with Tom on 80 from 199 balls and Lewis on 21 from 51.
Codi Yusuf is brought on to replace Dawson for the 85th with 30 needed for victory. His first is short and wide and goes for four. It is 261 at the end of the first of his last spell in this game one would predict. At the hotel end we see a second change as Sonny Baker comes on as what they must see as the 'last hurrah'.
It is a decent shout as he skittles Gregory with an absolute rocket. 262 for 7 and the skipper goes for 25 and out comes Ogborne with Abell facing. He takes the single. They then manage the Yusuf over and Abell needs to manage the end of this game as he moves to 90 and Alfie has 2. 21 is needed at 266 for 7 with Baker the real threat to our success in this game. He is one wicket away from a five-fer.
Alfie takes a single from the first and Alfie then takes the runs needed under 20. He then edges for four to take it to 15 needed at 272. He goes for a drive and nicks off to the keeper. That is Sonny's five fer and out comes Jack Leach at 272 for 8. This game is still in the melting pot as Jack faces Baker who is on fire. He leaves the ball.
The game becomes a chess one now as Tom shows faith in Jack by taking the single and he takes the last Abbot ball for four to move to 96 off 222 balls and the runs required has now moved to 9 with Baker steaming in to Leach. It comes down to this...for about the 19th time. Jack then cuts him for four to move us to 282. He takes the single and it is four for the game at the end of the Baker over.
The last over which Abbot is going to bowl? Jack is facing. He blocks the first. He blocks the second. He blocks the third. He leaves the fourth. He edges the fifth which does not carry and he blocks the sixth.
So Sonny to Tom Abell on 96 needing four. He won't look for it though he will take it if he can. He'll get the runs however he can and will be happy for his partner to take runs as well as long as Somerset win. The second is a good yorker he blocks. The third is a single ball and he does not take it. Therefore it seems that Tom is happy for Leach to face Abbott but not Baker it seems. There's a conference with 2 balls of this over to go. Abell blocks the fifth. Abell clips the ball for 1 and takes the strike to Abbott. Tom goes to 97 and Somerset need 2 for the tie and 3 for the win.
He takes the four and the boundary and the 100. What a great innings in a really good game. Somerset reach 288. A close run thing against two good sides.
Tom Abell finishes on 101 not out while Sonny finishes with a near match winning 17/1/62/5
On to the next Somerset game on Saturday with our other winning side
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:04:25:22:07:31 by Grockle.
Somerset are currently 'top of the league' after a solid draw at home to Notts and a rare hammering of Essex away.
This now looks like a fascinating encounter with Hampshire who were also in fine form last weekend. And a shortish trip for those who are able to go.
It is the match where the word 'nemesis' may be heard more than once. Also a chance to see how Sonny Baker squares up to his old team
A few selection dilemmas for Somerset, Archie Vaughan was smashing down the door against Essex. Will Lewis Gregory be fit? Can we avoid any more injuries...
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:04:15:12:19:09 by Grockle.
That line-up lengthens the batting compared with the team against Essex as well as providing four seamers and two spinners.
Sorted!
If Gregory isn't fit it doesn't look quite as straightforward...
Lewis Gregory (c), Josh Thomas, Archie Vaughan, Tom Lammonby, James Rew, Tom Abell, Will Smeed, Craig Overton, Jack Leach, Migael Pretorius, Alfie Ogborne, Jake Ball, Josh Shaw
A squad of 13 and the only real questions are;
1) Is Lewis now fit? One would assume so as he is announced in the squad as captain.
2) Which bowlers will sit this one out?
3) Will Somerset succumb to international pressure and ask James Rew to open. Interestingly he has not been identified as the keeper in the squad list though he most certainly will play.
In batting terms the top 7 will play but the order may be an item for debate. The only issue might be if Gregory is not completely fit to bowl but will bat - that will require another seamer to be made available. Can't see the point in that to be honest. Give him another 2 weeks to recover in that case. One would expect to see Thomas, Vaughan and Rew in the front 3 with Will Smeed takng the number 6 spot before his skipper.
One would assume that Alfie will return - the reason given for him not being there last week was his left arm feet creating surface advantages for Simon Harmer. He should be back and unless they expect to rota Miggy or Craig - highly unlikely at this point in the season given our present position then one would assume that both Josh and Jake might get a rest this week. We have no game next week so there would be no reason to rest resources other than to ensure we get Ogborne and Gregory back up to speed
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Trickier if he's not fit, as I also said earlier...
If he doesn't play I think I'd keep Shaw and rest Jake Ball; Alfie Ogborne comes back in and can take the new ball, Miggy P and Josh then 1st/2nd change.
Could be an on/off day with the weather tomorrow.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:04:17:15:38:20 by Grockle.
Vaughan, Thomas, Lammonby, Rew, Abell, Smeed, Gregory, Overton, Leach, Ball, Ogborne.
It has a better balance with the all-rounder Gregory at seven and Overton at eight.
I'm not jumping the gun here, with Abbott's record against Somerset it would be mad to do so. But having been made to bowl they'd be happy with four down before the hundred's up. Just need a couple more...
This looks like another game that won't go to the full four days unless the Hants tail really wags (and again, that's not assuming Somerset are going to win). But unless it rains - a lot! - a draw doesn't look likely.
(I wrote this before Abbott's innings...)
This'll do well to last anything like four days...!!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:04:17:21:34:24 by Des Platt.
Nice to see the skipper back, even if he did tease us by waiting till third change to have a bowl!
How good is James Rew ? Just sublime and oozes class from every pore. Will be amazed if he isn't snaffled up by England this summer. So we have to enjoy his talents whilst we can.
More of the same tomorrow please.
Grizzers
Anyway, good luck to James if he gets the call and, as for Somerset, it would solve the selection dilemma when Thomas is available.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:04:17:20:11:32 by Wiltshire55.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:04:17:21:36:21 by Des Platt.
Meaning England are planning for JR to open (Crawley replacement) as a non wicket keeper and TR will keep for Somerset.
Of course the Rew Brothers may have other plans with franchise money calling...
As far as franchises are concerned, we can't criticise anyone for wanting to maximise their income. (I was always keen on a good pay rise!).
Meanwhile Somerset are going to avoid castigation for failing just a few runs short of achieving another bonus point by....not getting close to achieving a bonus point.
Very good bowling by Hants this morning, (arguably aided by some unduly cautious batting), which has handed the initiative to them.
Any overnight hopes of a substantial first innings lead have presently been diluted to the point that any lead at all would be welcome !
Grizzers
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
(That's a reference to Somerset's position and not the Simon Hughes reference).
Somerset really, really need to start tomorrow well or the game could quickly run away from them. If I was a neutral I'd be enjoying this as it goes back and forth; as a Somerset fan, less so...
413/5 v Warks 2024 (Abell 152 n.o.)
325/7 v Essex 2025 (Rew 116)
We've given ourselves a decent chance to win, but against Mr Abbott & co., we'll need to be at our very best.
Time to find somewhere comfortable behind the sofa !
Grizzers
We'll see.
At least Gregory's back, which lengthens the batting, and boy, did he bowl well. That said, I'm not sure that final ball was hitting the stumps, and I think he got lucky there; though if Baker hit it, he would have been out caught by the short leg, who was appealing for the catch.
Luckily I'm going out to play squash, so I'll miss the start of the innings, which I find very stressful!!
Gonna be tense tomorrow chaps !
Grizzers
Tomorrow will be tense for the players and US.
The first hour tomorrow - he says somewhat obviously - could have a huge influence on Somerset's season. I'm not going to look at the odds but I'd guess that the bookies would have Hants as marginal favourites.
But what do I know? I had money on England beating Italy in the Six Nations (a bet made before the tournament started I'd like to add...).
With all this talk of Rew, the batting stats for Abell are quite comparable since Rew's debut. Another player that the England selectors overlooked.
Unless there's another 100+ runs on the board first, when I'd relax at least a little...!
If one of Rew or Abell is out early there's a lot of pressure on Smeed, who'll be playing just his third first-class innings.
I can't watch it.
I'm not working and I dip into the score occasionally, but I can't actually watch it!
What an advert for four day cricket. Esp well done to Tom Abell.
There will be lots more squeaky bum days like this if the Chmpionship is to be won. There were so many days like this in Lancs championship winning season. Essex was a massive win but so is this as have such a poor record at both. Likely with Taunton pitches that will have to win a lot of away matches.
I was saying in the last match how big a fan of Craig I am but over these last few years I’ve become a massive fan of Tom Abell too.
And breathe.
And relax etc etc...
Away wins at Essex and Hampshire are a great testament to this Somerset team. It's not just the win, but of course you're taking points away from the opposition at the same time.
He was the hidden weapon in this game while all eyes were on the others. He just got on with the job and scored the runs. Great performance and a great win. This game really ebbed and flowed. It seems that the home side were egging each other on when Jack came out that all they needed to do was get rid of him and Jake was the next man in.
Maybe they had forgotten how many runs they leaked the last time that was the case?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:04:20:15:44:39 by Grockle.
Then there was Headingley 2019, of course ... Has there ever been a cricketer who has been in so many situations such as this, with so much at stake, yet come out on top every time?
Tom Abell’s nerves held firm today. What an incredible effort, in extremely tough conditions against Kyle Abbott and Sonny Baker. The latter looked especially impressive and he bowled an absolute corker to despatch Lewis.
So pleased for the while team who can now have a few well earned days off. Also for all the travelling fans who watched that win.
Onwards to the home match v Yorkshire and a hopefully more responsive home strip than the Notts game.
Grizzers
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
[archive.ph]
Grizzers
Just imagine how difficult we would be to defeat if we had a good opening partnership! It may develop as the season progresses.
Great that there are so many home-grown players and that we could beat Hants without an overseas player; great that Lewis Gregory was available for this game.
The injuries to Goldsworthy, T-KC and Banton are a worry - as is Lammonby's lack of runs - but at least we've got a week off. And I wonder whether this might actually make it easier to sign another overseas pace bowler. After all, we're now a more attractive destination. I know, it's wishful thinking, but I can always dream...!
1) Vaughan
2) TKC (hopefully)/Thomas
3) Lammers (please focus Tom !)
4) JR
5) Sir Tom
6) Smeed
7) Overton
8) Gregory
9) Pretorius
10) Ogborne
11) Leach
I couldn't watch much of the match for various reasons, but did see the final few overs, and that was quite bad enough for my nerves. I have no idea what state I'd have been in if I'd watched more. Tom Abell is often described as the nicest man in cricket; he 'walks' when he's out; and he's ultra self critical while praising his team mates' contributions. Perhaps that's why he's not been picked for England - too nice? I can't think of any other reason for his non-selection.
Ball's dismissals may have cost us a couple of batting points in the first two matches, but his stand with Ogborne in the first innings of this match proved to be decisive. I thought that Ogborne showed promise as a batsman in that innings: I suspect that his promotion to No 9 in the second innings was probably not only a reward for that innings, but was also done because it meant that he faced a little less pressure than if he had come in at the sort of time that Leach eventually batted.
As others have said, Abell batted magnificently and richly deserved his century. I was surprised that he turned down a single off the fifth ball of what proved to be Baker's final over: thank goodness that Baker (who I thought had bowled very well) bowled him a full-toss, rather than a delivery he couldn't reach, on the final ball. By such fine margins ...
We're not bad these days ...
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
I had the option to watch pretty much all of the livestream but chose to give it a miss as I find it unbearably stressful. I dipped into cricinfo to check the score occasionally but that was it, and the score seemed to crawl at the end...
When Somerset are bowling: no problem following ball by ball.
I hesitate to say this, but I do wonder if Brian’s absence is linked to our success. I also fear that our success this season may be hampered by the absence later in the season of Rew Major, called away to play matches of much less importance 🤔
Just the musings of seasoned Somerset psychobabble…
Here it is:
[farmerwhite.co.uk]
Farmer
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:04:22:21:19:37 by Farmer White.
Mine was when we were eight down. And not needing many more runs.
Grizzers
Quote:Somerset LaLaLa
So who are our rivals? Surrey, Notts and Sussex? Matches against those teams are evenly spread out during the season, only playing Surrey once at home last game. This should allow us to rotate wisely whilst picking up points against the weaker sides. Imo these are Leics, Yorks and Glamorgan. If we do well in the next couple of games, it will take the pressure off when we play Sussex before the break.
Yorkshire won't look quite so weak when they rock up at Taunton next week with Joe Root (who is back in action for Yorkshire this week against Sussex) and, possibly, Harry Brook playing his season opener.
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