By Grockle
May 15 2026

We arrive back at home after a disappointing fortnight of games.  This is the one where we 'bounce back' everyone seems to think.  Couldbe a good thing to do.  James Rew will be off to England quite soon and we welcome Jordan Hermann for the next 3 red ball games.  The question is who will open the batting.  We'll find out as Somerset have won the toss and will bat.

CC1 v Sussex @ Taunton Friday 15 May 2026

We welcome Jordan Hermann to the squad for the next red ball games and he will obviously come into the side.  We have brought in Ogborne for Ball and Hermann plays instead of Smeed so the side is;

Thomas, Rew (w), Lammonby, Abell, Hermann, Gregory, Vaughan, Overton, Pretorius, Ogborne, Leach

Somerset have won the toss and will open the batting.  The question is who will partner Josh Thomas to the middle first.  It seems it is expected to be James Rew but one wonders why it is not the South African with a red ball average of 45 Jordan Hermann?  It is Hermann so someone has some 'county sense'.

Robinson opens the bowling from the MT and we end the first over with the new man off the mark with 2.  Fynn Hudson-Prentice takes the second over.

There are lots of appeals from Robinson in particular but most are going down or outside.  Until the 7th over when he gets one to come in and Josh is caught in front missing the ball and is on his way back to the pavilion for 7 at 19 for 1.  In comes Tom Lammonby.

In the 9th over Tom Haynes takes over from Robinson and his first 'warm up' delivery gets Tom off the mark with a lusty drive through the covers for 4.  That one got exactly what it deserved. He is joined in a double change by Crocombe.  Hermann looks to hook Haynes in the 13th but he is right back on the stumps and fails to hit the ball.  He is LBW for 25 - though it did see a bit high to be honest.  James Rew is in at 46 for 2 and the 50 arrives in the same over as the new man moves on to 4 with Lammonby on 14 from 20.

We have the introduction of spin from Carson in the 21st over with Robinson changing ends to the River as well.  Somerset have 76 by the 20th over.

Rew rides his luck a bit and is dropped in mid wicket (by Coles) just before the lunch break - always good when they don't go to hand but we pass the 50 partnership between these two - good to see Tom L getting some runs - and the 100 for the side before Lunch which comes at 107 for 2 with Rew on 26 from 55 and Lammonby on 44 from 77.  We are 31 overs into a 96 over day, the sun is out, the sky is blue but the wind is absolutely brutal.

Crocombe opens the bowling from the River for the afternoon with Clark taking his first over of the day from the MT.  Tom Lammonby reaches 50 (52) from 83 at 117 for 2 - a score he needed to get his season back on track.  Sussex then drop Rew again at first slip when in the mid 30s again by Coles off Crocombe - pretty much an easy chance. - he needs to capitalise on this for us.  Meanwhile Lammonby is having one of those 'got the feel' innings where scoring looks so easy and most things are going.

The 100 partnership arrives at 146 off 173 balls and Tom Lammonby then moves to 71 taking Somerset to 152 for 2. Rew does half the job at 161 for 2 when he reaches 50 in the 44th off the bowling of Carson from 94 balls with 2 sixes and 3 fours.  Sussex has in fact moved to a dual spin option as Coles bowls the 45th at the MT End.

Carson tempts Tom once too often to come up the wicket.  This time he does not get anything on the ball and is stumped for 73 at 170 for 3 - a better innings but he didn't push it on the way you'd like him to.  He did look in much better touch today and when he does he looks like real class.

In comes Tom Abell and he starts quite slowly letting his partner take the lead role.  Together they move the score towards 200 against Robinson (River) and Haines (MT) and it is a cover drive from Rew in the 56th over that takes Somerset over the 200 mark to 201 for 3.  At 214 James Rew has a brain fart looking to six Haines stright down the ground.  He gets an edge and is caught by Coles (third time lucky) for 86 - daftish shot to be honest, which he didn't need to play.  In comes Vaughan who works with Abell to move the score to 238 for 4 when the Tea interval arrives at 3:45.  Archie has moved on to 10 from 26 while his partner has 23 from 52.

Back after the break on a wonderfully sunny day which feels like somewhere in Finland in parts of the ground and a coolish British late spring/early summer's day in other parts.  Looking over at the Hildreth Stand there are people looking to have a nice day with a bit of sun cream for the faces and the arms.  Meanwhile if you look at the people sat at the top of the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion they are in woolly hats and ski jackets against the bitter wind whistlilng through the stands as it has been doing all day. 

Carson and Crocombe continue as Somerset move forward bringing up the first batting bonus point at 252 for 4 at the end of the 67th over with a Somerset stand boundary from Tom Abell to take him to 29 from 62 balls.  Crocombe then comes off and Carson changes ends in order to allow Coles to bowl from the MT End and the twin spin attack re-commences as we move into the last 25 overs of the day's play.

Tom A goes to 50 from 93 balls with 1 six and 5 fours at 282 for 4.  When he went past 25 in this innings it was the 14th consecutive innings where he has achieved at least that.  Now THAT is consistency and the last man to do this was Graham Gooch..  

At 265 the 50 partnership arrives off 96 balls with Vaughan on 21 and Abell  on 38.  In the 85th over they go back to pace with Hudson-Prentice returning at 293 for 4.  Clark comes on at the River and and he gets the next victim as Archie is caught behind by Simpson at 29 from 95 just 3 short of 300 at 297 for 5.  We could shoot ourselves in the foot if we do not get towards 400 on this wicket as we now have three bats who have got in and have really thrown away their wickets when things were certainly on.  In comes Craig Overton and a two from him plus a single from his partner takes us to 300 and another batting point.

8 overs to go in the day and they play out a little better for Somerset than the last game did in Cardiff.  Without any real drama the Somerset pair see out the days play and finish with 335 on the board without any more loss of wickets.  Tom Abell finishes the day not out 74 from 136 balls with 8 fours and 1 six.  Craig Overton goes in unbeaten with 26 to his name from 39 balls with 4 boundaries.  Haines took the two wicketes with the other 3 being shared between Robinson, Carson and Clark.  One would assume on this pitch Somerset should be expecting to move beyond 350 at least and possibly even beyond 400 before asking the opposition to try out the middle.  We shall see how Day 2 pans out tomorrow.

Day 2 - Happy "County Cricket Day"

With 15 minutes to go before the start of the second day the environment outside is defined by the fact that they are switching the floodlights on before play commences.  The bitter wind of yesterday has dropped thank heavens but the weather forcast rain percentage is very high after midday so we probably won't get a full day today.  

But we do start on time as Haines bowls the first of the day from the MT to Craig Overton. Clark takes the early overs at the River End to Tom Abell first up .  After one over there is a change at the MT as Crocombe takes over from Haines which seems a little strange - maybe they are going to rota through all of their seamers - it seems to be moving about a bit.

The 50 partnership arrives between the Somerset pair at 348 for 5 as Overton moves to 34 and Abell looks to move into the 80s.  He does that with a double to also bring up the 3rd batting point at 350 for 5 and with that play is suspended as rain comes across the ground. The cloud has dropped in over the Quantocks which have disappeared in the 12 minutes since play began.

If there is no more rain, play will restart at 12:10 with lunch being moved back to 1:15.  We start again at that time with Clark continuing from the River. Crocombe also returns at the MT his first half volley is cracked through the covers to the Somerset Stand boundary by the Somerset bowling all rounder.

After being cut in half by Crocombe the ball before, COve goes to 50 from 63 balls at 317 for 5 with a single in the 82nd over.  Somerset have 7 overs to find 29 runs to claim the 4th batting point which may be their next target though the Abell century may be a factor around then as well if he can keep his place in the middle.  However, we will have to wait again as the umpires take the players off again at 12:35 with the score on 375 for 5 with 81 overs left in the day and 6 overs before the points cutoff of the first innings.  Overton has 51 from 66 and Abell has 89 from 157.

We're back on having lost 10 overs in the day and Craig is up for this as he takes Crocombe for six to the scoreboard boundary.  It is interesting that the Sussex captain Ollie Roibinson has not bowled at all today after being their best bowler yesterday - one wonders if he is carrying some kind of injury as many of his spells yesterday were short as well - Sussex could also be following England recommendations, to their own detriment presently, of course.

Craig is pushing the score on while Abell is acting in a suporting role, though he will hit loose stuff to the rope when it comes, as he does from Clark to move to 196.  Crocombe is replaced by Hudson-Prentice at the MT for the 107th as Somerset move to 394 and the umpires take the players off again as another shower comes in.  They will take lunch and be back on just after 1:30.

Overton has 63 from 71 and Abell is 4 short of another 2026 century from 164 balls. 

The covers are on at the end of the Lunch interval and there is no early start to the afternoon.

As we reach 3pm the prospects of play later this afternoon looks very very doubtful.  It looks in for the afternon and even if there is a break it would be doubtful that the groundstaff would get the covers off in time to get any play before the rain started again.  Pretty certain we may have seen what cricekt there will be this Saturday.

However, Tea will be taken at 3:30 and there will be another inspection at 4pm

We will restart at 4:25 and we have lost 50 overs in the day it seems.

They are back on at the declared time with Hudson-Prentice is starting from the MT and we start with an Overton single, followed by an Abell one.  The 100 partnership arrives at 397 for 5 with another COve single that steals the strike.

Cartson brings spin to the afternoon for the second over after the restart. Craig steals the strike again as we move to 398 with 2 overs before the bonus point cut-off point.  The 450 is probably not on now.  They move to 400 in the 109th over as Tom moves to 98.  They change ends again and in the 110th Crocombe returns from the River with Abell on 99.  After nearly being strangled twice down the leg side he takes the single to go to his 100 from 171 balls with a six and 11 fours at 408 for 5.  Another fighting and excellent innings.

Coles takes over at the MT end for the 115th over with 28 left in the day's play.

Tom is finally out for 119 caught by Clark bowled Carson - possibly a little tired but another excellent game.  443 for 6 and in comes Gregory and the new pair take the score past 454 as COve goes past 90.  Lewis gets a little bored and skies one into the Ondaatje seats to move to 9 off Coles.  

On 99 Craig gives a couple of chances and has us gulping.  But he finally drives the single that gives him 100 off 134 balls with 13 fours and a six.  480 for 6 at the end of the 124th over with 18 left in the day.

Overton changes gears and starts to goes for it and is bowled in the next over for 111 by Coles at 491 for 7.  In comes Jack Leach (with his new bat no less) and he helps his skipper push the score over the 500 mark and remains with him until he is dismissed caught behind off Coles for 35 from 30 at 526 for 8.  Gregory then declares leaving his partner 17 from 12 undefeated and Somerset ask Sussex to pop out for 11 overs before the end of play.

Hughes and Haines come out 10 minutes later to face Gregory from the MT with Ogborne at the River.  In the 4th over the umpires decided the light was poor and took the players off with the visitors on 19.  Was that it then?  Well no, they came back out 10 minutes later but 3 overs down so the 4 balls of the over cut short and 5 more.

Craig Overton takes the first and has Haines LBW for 6 at 21 for 1.  The next over ios started but then the floodlights fail so with nothing else possible the game ended after 5.1 overs of the reply at 22 for 1 and we move on to Day 3.

Day 3

It's overcast again this morning but dry so we will start on time. We will have 104.5 overs in the day to make up some of those lost and the intervals will be altered accordingly.  Dan Hughes and Jack Carson will start the day for Sussex trying to decrease the deficit from its present position of 504.  They are therefore 354 from the follow on target.  Somerset seem to be in the box seat again today.  One post I'd missed along with others in the press area (so thanks to LoL for this one) is that during the 6 CC1 games this season, Somerset have clocked up NINE centuries but have yet to concede one to any opposing side.  Not a bad position to be in.  Someone from Sussex may need to break that 'duck' today if they hope to stay in this game.

Firstly, England Lions contender Alfie Ogborne will finish the over he started last night.  He bowls first to the 'Nightwatch' Ben Carson as the technical problems continue with a lack of scoreboard activity first on.  Sussex move on to 26 for 1 as Overton opens to the other side.  In the 10th over the umpire, not for the first time this season, has a conversation with Alfie about where his feet are landing.   Not sure if it was an official warning but it was definitely a 'Watch it Lad' if it wasn't.

We move to spin in the 12th as Jack Leach gets an early look at the ball today.  There doesn't look like there is a lot there for him and the view of the pitch overall suggests it may be a LONG day in the field but with the surface suggesting something for most of it. 

Carson thinks about having a go at a wide ball from Overton.  He decides to have said go and the edge is well caught by Tom Abell at second slip at 49 for 2.  He goes for 7.  In comes Clark and he watches as Hughes drives a confident four to move Sussex to 53. 

Alfie changes ends and replaces COve for the 19th but the runs are coming and the pressure isn't really mounting as we pass the hour mark with Sussex having progressed to 80 for 2 with Hughes looking particularly comfortable at 41 from 53. 

Lewis takes over from the River and then, just after Sussex pass the 100 in the 28th, we see Migael Pretorius for the first time taking on the 29th looking to try and keep Hughes under 50 as the weather moves in and a shower looks to be on the way.  Clark is also seeming to warm to his task as the time moves on, he produces a very good straight drive to move himself into the 30s..  This in turn seems to move Miggy, as he has him LBW the next ball and sends him back for 31 from 43 balls.  105 for 3 as Leaning replaces Clark in the middle.

The rain comes at 12:35 and the players are off at 105 for 3 with Hughes still 2 short of his 50 and Leaning having faced 2 balls with no return.  We have had 29 wickets and presently there are 81 left in the day - though the rain is heavy so we will probably lose some before they return.

They will take early lunch at 12:45 though by 1pm the groundstaff are taking the covers off.  They have inspected and are worried about another shower so they will inspect again at 1:30.  The 'rope' is going around so they will probably be back on soon.  They have announced a restart at 1:50 if there is no more rain.   We have lost 9 overs so we will have 72 left in the day. 

We are back on with Lewis coming in from the River to Hughes.  He goes to 52 from 69 balls with 9 fours at 109 for 3. On 118 for 3 Abell drops what seems to be a regulation slip catch and Hughes survives.

Hughes may be the first oposition centurion of 2026 against us as his side move past 150 in the 39th from Pretorius as he progresses into the 80s.  The wicket is giving very little and although it suggests there is something for the bowlers as the bats struggle to get the ball away, there does not seem to be much in this at all from the spectators point of view.  EVERYTHING seems to be happening slowly in this game presently. 

At 2:35 the umpires see the rain sweeping in and take the players indoors at 155 for 3 with Hughes on 83 from 105 with his partner Leaning on 11 from 28.  It is over number 39.3.  We presently have 62 left in the day but again we will lose some when they return one would imagine. 

We will be back on at 3:25 having lost 13 overs.  Although that suggests we will then have 36.3 left so we will bowl 4.3 and then go off for Tea?  We shall await developments - it could still rain before then anyway.  At 3:15 that is exactly what happens and the covers return to the middle. They will therefore probably take an early Tea and if there is any chance we will be seeing 32 overs after the break.  Though the forcast suggests that is very hopeful at best.

The idiocy of cricket then rears it's head as we wait in the rain and then as the sun breaks out and the covers are coming off we are told that 'Tea will be taken at 3:40'.  So with the sun out and the sky blue we will now wait for another 20 MINUTES before the players return to the pitch after being off for just over an hour!!!

Now we have an announcement that there will be a 'pitch inspection' at 4:15.  The supporter voice then immediately asks "WHY? What are you going to see that you can't already see?".

And at 4:10 the rain returns.. and because of that the umpires announce at 4:20 that they will have ANOTHER inspection at 4:30!!  You despair for the game I'm afraid.

At 4:35 the umpires announce we will recommence at 4:45 with 32 overs to go in the day.  No one can understand how that works because if the rain had not come, we would have gone off for Tea at 3:40 or whenever 32 overs were left and now... and hour later we are going to do the same.  One suggests that the chance of us having 32 overs before the end of play today is pretty slim to non existent. But I await to be amazed.

We are back on with Gregory completing his over from the River. Ogborne is doing the role at the MT as the umpires request the lights be turned on.  Overton immediately takes over from his captain at the River and his first ball takes Hughes into the 90s with a Hildreth Stand boundary.  Alfie cannot seem to get his line and length in any kind of order and Leaning benefits with boundaries on both sides of the wicket as Sussex move to 175 for 3 and he moves on to 21 from the 40 he has faced.

At 5pm off we go as a slight shower takes the players off, with the Sussex bats racing the umpires to the pavilion while the groundstaff put the cover on the strip in brilliant sunshine.  The teams have not even gone up the steps and they will be back on 'momentarily' - 5:09 to be precise.

Overton finishes his over leaving 26 in the day.  Alfie continues to partner him at the MT. Then with Hughes on 99 at 192 for 3 Tom Lammonby is introduced to try and keep the record of no centuries against us in the CC this season by removing the Sussex man and breaking this 87 run partnership.  He nearly does as Hughes misses one and is hit slightly to the off-side.  They then take a quick single which turns into an extra 4 as fielding does not stop the shy at the stumps.  Dan Hughes goes to 104 from 133 balls, the first CC1 centurion against Somerset in 2026 and the 200 arrives for the visitors.

The experiment finally works as Lammonby gets one to go away from Hughes and it is snaffled by Lewis Gregory in the slips.  He goes for 107 at 204 for 4 in the 51st over.  Coles replaces him and the partnership is finally broken with 20 overs left of the day.  Somerset then try something else at the other end as Archie and his spin are introduced for the first time in the innings.

However it is at the other end that things happen.  Tom Lammonby bowls Leaning for 31 at 205 for 5 in the 53rd.  The Sussex man just missed it.  In comes Simpson and the innings is opened up a bit with both new men on 0 and 18 overs to get past.  As we move towards 10 overs left Simpson just pops one straight back to Archie Vaughan and goes for 6 at 212 for 6.  Out comes Tear with 13 overs to go to face the continiung Lammonby presently with figures of 6//14/2 - which isn't a bad position to be in looking for a berth in the Vitality Blast which starts next week.  Decent case for consideration as a batting allrounder who bowls useful stuff.

After another Archie over we welcome 'Miggle' Pretorius (thanks for the new one Simon on the PA) at the Pavilion end with 10 left.  He bowls Charlie Tear for 1 at 213 for 7 and in comes Hudson-Prentice to face a change of bowling at the River with Lewis Gregory.  Jack Leach is also off the field which might be a worry as there seems to be no reason why that would be the case and tends to make people wonder why Archie is bowling ahead of him against two right handers from his favourite end.  I'm sure we will find out eventually.

Jack returns to the field looking no worse for wear and we will, at least, see all the allocated 32 overs as we move into the last 3 which Gregory and Pretorius will complete unless Somerset have another twist.  What is more we will do it before the 7pm deadline so there will be no need to switch off the floodlights!!

'Miggle' will finish his day with 11 overs 4 maidens 2 wickets for 40 runs while Lewis will record figures of ending with 2 wickets as Hudson-Prentice snicks behind for 12 from 20 at 236 for 8.  His final day figures are 13.1 overs 0 maidens 1 for 55 and he will be back tomorrow to finish the over.

A strange day with a very flat spot in it where Hughes made hay and the weather had a bit of a play with things.  Then an interesting last hour or so which has set up some kind of ending for the game.  The weather may still have a say but one would assume that sometime tomorrow Somerset will gain the last bowling point and suggest Sussex follow on.  From there anything is really possible.  We will just have to take what we get and see where it goes.  A better end that we all expected, excellent late spells from Pretorius and Tom Lammonby in particular with tight good line and length bowling just when we needed it.  Something to look forward to tomorrow then.

Day 4

Grey rain filled clouds greet you this morning in the Taunton area. There is moisture and the odd rain drop in the air but presently it is expected that unless there is rain, play will start at 11am.  At 236 for 8 Coles will continue with his 12 from 50 and he will be joined by Robinson as Hudson-Prentice went from the first ball of Gregory's 14th over last night so the Somerset captain will bowl the other 5 balls to get us under way on the last day.  The floodlights are on and presently the coconut matting is on the wicket but all the preparations suggest cricket will at least start on time though how long it will carry on for is a different conversation.

Many home fans will at least be happier after the 9th wicket goes down and the bonus points are decided.  Others want enough cricket today to have a real go at Sussex and see if we can't turn this into a win.  That would be the hope of most cricket fans to be honest.  Confirm the big point draw then take the opposition on to get the rest if the weather lets you.  We'll have a better ability to assess at lunchtime I would think.

Sussex captain Robinson takes the first ball of the morning as the new bat and he is off the mark with a misfielded cut for four to the Caddyshack.  Alfie comes on at the MT and we hope for a little more consistency from him this morning.  After a clipped of four from his second, he gets the ball to move off his edge to Craig at second slip and we get maximum bowling points as Cole leave for 16 at 244 for 9.  In comes Crocombe as the last man while Robinson achieves Sussex's first batting point with a dimissive smash to the Ondaatje car park for four to move the score to 253.  Gregory then clears Crocombe out caught by Tom Abell for 4 at 253.  Somerset, not suprisingly anounce the enforcement of the 'follow on' before the players have left the pitch.

Alfie finishes with 15/3/62/1 and the skipper has 14.1/0/59/2 so it took 12 balls this morning to send them on their way.  There are 90 overs left in the day if we lose 2 for the changeover and Sussex will start still 273 runs behind the home first innings score.

At 11:20 we return to the pitch with Hughes and Haines back out with bats and Lewis opening the bowling from the River.  A glanced four off the bat of Hughes starts the second part of today's play.  Followed by a Gregory no ball - the more things change, the more they stay the same.  It's 8 for 0 after the first as Alfie continues from the MT after the break of innings.  Haines is off the mark with another dismissive cut to the Caddyshack boundary off the young Somerset left armer.  This is followed by 4 leg byes which means the second over ends at 16 for 0.

In the 6th, a booming drive from Haines goes straight to Lewis Gregory and Alfie opens his second innings account at 22 for 1.  Haines departs after a daft shot when trying to save a game for 5.  Clark replaces him and within 3 overs is attempting to slash and cut like there is a game here for them to win rather than save.  If they continue to do this and the weather stays away, there is a game to win here if we can hold our lines and length

After 9 Migael takes over from the MT with the score on 34 for 1.  His first is clipped fine for four by Clark. Craig makes it a double change as he comes on for the first time at the River for the 10th. But he only bowls 3 overs before Archie takes over from the River - again surprising that Jack is not on first.  Sussex have moved to 47 for 1 with Hughes once more making a fist of this on 20 from 53 and his partner Clark on 14 from 33. Vaughan starts with a maiden.  

In the spinner's next a cut four from Clark moves Sussex past 50 to 53 for 1 in the 19th over.  In the 21st Archie bowls a slow long hop which seems to totally surprise Hughes and he flips it straight to Pretorius at backward point who gratefully takes the catch.  Hughes leaves for 21 at 54 for 2 which brings Leaning to the crease.

The next over sees Craig changing ends to the MT and we move to 65 for 2 at Lunch as things tend to slow down to a crawl.  Leaning has managed 1 from 21 while Clark has moved to 25 from 61.  Archie has produced 5 overs 2 maidens 12 for 1 while Craig ends the session with 6 overs 3 maidens 3 for 0. 

Gregory and Overton start the afternoon and there is a very difficult 'drop' (really only just a chance) which would have been an excellent one handed catch by Archie in the 28th over off Clark.  Not all chances are the same level of 'chance' however but when you desperately want to see the back of a bat it is what it is. Then after very little happening for over after over Craig gets one to spit off Leaning's bat and it pops stright up to Alfie Ogborne at midwicket and it is 79 for 3 as Leaning departs for 4 and Coles joins the game again for the second time today.

Again, nothing is seeming to be happening but the bowlers keep steaming in hoping something will change and it does as Clark misses one which the umpire believes would have hit and he is LBW for 34 - some are not sure by that one.  Nevertheless the bat has to leave and at 86 for 4 Simpson replaces Tom Clark who leaves for 34 LBW to Overton.

As if we are expecting something this prompts the introduction of Jack Leach for the first time in this innings from the River and he produces a single run from his first 6 balls.  Straight after that, Craig gets one to spit at Coles who fends it off to Abell in the slips and is gone for 6 at 87 for 5.  Charlie Tear comes out to the middle and we all hope Somerset are now on a roll.  It is starting to become a fight for survival for the visitors as the sun breaks through though dark clouds still exist to rain on Somerset's parade if we become too confident of play until past 6pm.

Migael takes over at the MT and as it gets gloomy, then the floodlights went off and as the umpires come together the lights come on again.  Then during Jack's next over the lights 'trip' again and go off.  The umpires meet and have a chat but then allow play to continue.  Jack continues to bowl the 43rd but the question is now who bowls at the MT end of the lights are not usable?  The options are Archie, Josh and Jordan Hermann who has wickets with off breaks.

Archie replaces Pretorius at the MT - more through necessity than probable choice. Then in the midst of despair Archie bowls Charlie Tear for 6 at 95 for 6 and the world takes a turn in the right direction.  Hudson-Prentice rejoins the game for the next phase.  The 100 arrrives in the 51st and the floodlights are back on under 'test mode' to see if they will be OK or will trip again.  Somerset return to Miggy P from the MT end for the 52nd to get the seamers on while they can and hope to clear this game before any more technical issues take it away from us.

Ogborne returns at the River as well as we return to seam at both ends.  He then gets Hudson-Prentice LBW for 5 at 110 for 7 with 5 full overs to go before the Tea break.  In comes Carson to face the rest of the 55th. We then move back to spin from the MT as Archie has another spell before the interval to keep the new Sussex man wondering.  Simpson has 11 from the 58 he has faced but Carson is yet to get off the mark.  So at Tea it is 111 for 7 with 36 overs still to go.

The rain has stayed away.  Sussex need 162 to make us bat again.  Somerset need 3 wickets.  Unfortunately though, during the interval we have the first rain of the day and so the covers are on at 3:55.  Which means we may not start on time for the last session of the game.  We might not start again if it sets in of course.  But all is not lost as the weather has changed late in the day on more than one of the last few early evenings so who knows?  This is not yet quite over.

We will be back on the field at 4:15 with a deduction of 3 overs bringing the total to be bowled down to 33 in the day - remembering that there is the last hour as part of the equation on Day 4 as well. 

To add to that 'equation', we start, after Tea, with Jordan Hermann who bowls off spin it seems and has 6 first class wickets with a best of 3 for 35.  At the MT end we get Jack from the end he rarely bowls at through choice!!  Curiouser and curiouser!!

After 4 balls the umpires take the players off again - though the Somerset guys are not exactly rushing off in the 'deluge' the umpires seem to see!! There now seems to be lots of discussion between groundstaff and Jason Kerr and others.  The groundstaff seem to be waiting for permission to remove the covers and nothing seems to be happening.  No one seems sure whether they are expecting another shower or something so we wait in 'limbo' until 'someone' makes a decision about where this game is going.  It is once more pretty unsatisfactory for the watching fans who have no information about what is happening at the moment.

At 4:50 the groundstaff bring on the larger sheets and it looks like the game may very well be over given the fact that we are usually in a position where it is 16 overs or 5pm whichever is later on the last day and these covrs going on suggest we would not be back on until an significant amount of time after 5 should they be covering the ground now.  Jason may simply take the choice and call the game taking the 15 point draw - though Somerset have nothing to lose in this should there be any chance of getting onand having a go at the last 3 wickets.  However, because there is no attempt to keep the watching public informed in these games, this is all speculation as the only people who really know where we are don't seem in any hurry, as usual, to tell the people who have paid to be here!!  Explanations now happen in rugby and football, why not cricket?

The issue seems to be that although the rain is very light it is still 'rain' and so the umpires cannot call the players back on to the field.  As said above the issue is then that Somerset will hold out until the last possible moment before they call an end to proceedings because 3 balls could give them this game and a position at the top of the table with the white ball break coming next week.  So this game is still open until that moment.

But at 10 to 6 the rain beats us to the punch because although it is not belting down it has not really stopped completely since just after four and in the end the officials on all sides accept the inevitable and we take the draw and 15 points.  2 wins, 2 losses and 2 draws in our first phase of the CC1. 

To be brutally honest, on pre season predictions, we would have taken that.  However we have performed better than that record suggests while also still having the things in our red ball game that can be frustrating and which probably cost us the two games we lost.  We probably ought to have gone into the break undefeated with 4 wins but such is life. 

Nevertheless, we end the first part of the season still in contention for the four day trophy with only 9 point spllitting the top seven sides and we have looked much better than many expected us to.  We need to consolidate against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge and Warwickshire at Taunton during the breaks in the Blast competition and re-assess after those difficult games.

For now we move on to the white ball stuff and the double header on Friday against Hampshire at home.  The red ball performances have left a number of questions about the make-up of the Blast XI and some fascinating options now exist.  We will return to this part of the season on June 12th in Nottingham.

Sussex by the Tone

Discussion started by Grockles.com , 15/05/2026 10:59

Grockles.com
15/05/2026 10:59

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
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As usual this thread will be the update report thread while the other thread on the game is the forum one for poster comments. I'll merge them after the game has concluded.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2026:05:21:12:15:49 by Grockle.

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Grockle
14/05/2026 17:50

Back to Taunton after a pretty disappointing couple of weeks. We welcome Sussex and our new bat JORDAN HERMANN to the squad;

The total 13 man squad named is as follows;
Josh Thomas, Tom Lammonby, Tom Abell, James Rew (w), Lewis Gregory (c), Archie Vaughan, Will Smeed, Jordan Hermann, Craig Overton, Alfie Ogborne, Jake Ball, Migael Pretorius, Jack Leach

The two questions are, where will Hermann bat (he most certainly will play) and which bowler will be rested for this game?

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Grockle
15/05/2026 12:26

Bit of info for those wondering who might be keeping in the Vitality Blast games starting next week. Tom Banton is keeping for the seconds today

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Shepton Paul 2
15/05/2026 13:21

That’ll test his fingers! 😱

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Grizzers
15/05/2026 13:57

Happy with progress so far.

Liked the look of Hermann, who seems an assertive, no nonsense opener & got a sketchy lbw decision.

James and Lammers batting well. More to come please.

Grizzers

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Somerset LaLaLa
15/05/2026 14:02

Easy catch off Rew

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Bagpuss
15/05/2026 14:21

That post wasn't good for my nerves SLLL!

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Grockle
15/05/2026 14:25

Coles has dropped him twice, once at midwicket before lunch and then at first slip after the break.

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Bagpuss
15/05/2026 14:40

James can thank me later for dropping him from my Cricket Draft team, thus ensuring a return to making runs.

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Grockle
15/05/2026 16:42

When Tiom Abell went past 25 in this innings that was the 13th consecutive one where he has scored more than 25, Now THAT is consistency.

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Scrumper
15/05/2026 16:58

He should be opening.












Just kidding.

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sfwithers
15/05/2026 17:24

Each batter seems to have got themselves out!

A bit of the discipline shown by the Glamorgan lower order wouldn't do Somerset any harm.

Lammonby - why? Vaughan - why? etc...

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Grizzers
15/05/2026 18:20

Felt we batted well overall and kept the score ticking along nicely most of the day.

Yes, it would have been nice to see Tom L &/or James push on to a really big score, but with Tom Abell in superb form, 335/5 is a decent platform to build on.

Just hope the weather doesn’t ruin the remaining three days.

Grizzers

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Grockle
15/05/2026 18:45

Definitely there were bigger scores awaiting a couple of our bats had they made better decisions about shots. Not sure what Tom Lammonby and James Rew were thinking at that point in both their innings looking in little or no trouble. Hermann looks good and was hard done by I think with that LBW decision - More people who reviewed it in the media area thought there was significant doubt for the bat to be given the benefit than those confident it was out. However, he looks like a solid and capable red ball opener.

Let's see where we are by Lunch tomorrow and re-assess from there.

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Mike TA1
15/05/2026 19:42

Somerset v Sussex 1st day photos



Archie Vaughan



James Rew.



Jordan Hermann



Tom Abell



Tom Lammonby

Good day for Somerset, it showed that James Rew is better not opening. Jordan Hermann did well opening for his first time.

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Grizzers
15/05/2026 20:35

Very pleasant atmosphere on and off the field today.

Sussex bowled & fielded notably without the incessant clapping and borderline gamesmanship exhibited by Yorkshire a couple of weeks ago.

Grizzers

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Grockle
15/05/2026 22:48

They did a bit of appealling until they got Josh and Jordan but then they seemed to calm down. Or maybe it was just Ollie Robinson's enthusiasm

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Grockle
16/05/2026 10:25

HAPPY COUNTY CRICKET DAY ONE AND ALL

Today has been designated by the authorities as the one day when the ECB grudginly accepts that the Championship actually exists. In the future it may be the commemorative day when we remember the glory that was 4 day cricket in the UK

So commemorate it people we may not see it's like for very much longer or ever again (Depressing smile icon)

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Grockle
16/05/2026 11:17

For members about today, don't forget the Members Forum today 20 minutes after the close of play n the County Room

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Mike TA1
16/05/2026 14:59

Somerset v Sussex 2nd day photos.

Unusual I have only Craig Overton photos.



Craig Overton 4 runs off bottom edge just missing the stumps.



Craig Overton scoring his 50th run.



Craig Overton 6 runs.



Craig Overton 4 runs.

Lets hope for a better day tomorrow.

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sfwithers
16/05/2026 16:20

I looked the weather forecast for today and decided to give it a swerve, and I think I made the right decision.

Can't come tomorrow as I'm playing in an over 50s football mini-tournament.

Monday? We'll see...

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Grizzers
16/05/2026 17:42

I made the same decision sfw, such a shame that the weather has taken a huge chunk of the day.

But very encouraging to watch on the stream as we bat Sussex out of the game, taking four batting points en-route.

One centurion is nice, two is enjoyable gluttony, with Messrs Abell and Overton tucking in very nicely.

Guessing we may declare at 500 & have a few overs at them.

Good day, despite the elements.

Grizzers

Edited to correct brainfade moment ! Thx Bobstan.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:05:16:20:05:46 by Grizzers.

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Loyal of Lhasa
16/05/2026 17:44

In six CC matches so far Somerset have scored nine centuries and conceded none!

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Bobstan
16/05/2026 19:11

I hope, Grizzers, that Cove would take your calling him Caddick as a compliment. I imagine he would.

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Grizzers
16/05/2026 20:04

Oops ! Thanks Bobstan.

Many apologies to both gentlemen !!

I'll belatedly edit.

Grizzers

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Mike TA1
17/05/2026 16:29

Somerset v Sussex 3rd day photos



Dan Hughes 4 runs



Dan Hughes missing the ball off Jack Leach



Jack Carson off Craig Overton, just missing the stumps.



Tom Clark lbw Migael Protorius

That's all today, the rainy weather is coming at the wrong time

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Grockle
17/05/2026 16:36

Sorry Mike! It seems you might not be right. They will be back on at 4:45 and they think there is going to be 32 overs in the day - the umpires have no intention of that happening!!

It's been a while since I've been at an 'Umpire Farce' but here we are again.

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Grockle
17/05/2026 18:41

Well this one has turned around a little since 192 for 3 hasn't it? It may still be a draw but at least it will be one with a lot of bonus points for us and the outside possibility of a win yet on Day 4 if the weather lets us and the pitch co-operates.

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Loyal of Lhasa
17/05/2026 19:09

One wicket before 110 overs are bowled and we are guaranteed 15 points (I am daring to assume that we shall not lose this one!)

LoL

Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter

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Devonboy70
17/05/2026 19:25

I was due to attend either yesterday or today however the forecast put me off . Watched on the livestream. Is it me or do we seem to be dropping more catches every match . In the past it seemed to be a rareity but now it seems to be a regular occurrence.

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That Bloke With The Dog
17/05/2026 19:32

Two wickets before they score 250 and Sussex are guaranteed 1 point!

I'm afraid I gave up after the post-lunch stoppage and watched the evening session at home on the live stream. It might be my imagination, because I'm comparing live viewing with online viewing, but there appeared to be more bounce in the wicket this evening. John Simpson would probably agree, given the way he popped up that return catch to Vaughan.

Let's hope the bounce persists tomorrow. I'm definitely going to be there at 11 am. Could turn into a thriller.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:05:17:19:43:39 by That Bloke With The Dog.

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Grizzers
17/05/2026 19:57

Good progress, especially given the extremely frustrating weather. I gave up about 4.30 p.m. & promptly missed probably the best cricket of the day !

Good to see Lammers given a chance with the ball & not for the first time, making a valuable breakthrough.

Just a tad concerned that Jack Leach seems to be struggling a little at the moment. Hopefully he'll wrap up the game with eight wickets tomorrow.

Albeit in reality, it looks like the weather may be the only winner once again.

Good to see Jove around the ground today.

Grizzers

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Sloop John B
18/05/2026 11:10

That's a damn good start to the morning. Kerp it going lads!

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Grockle
18/05/2026 11:14

Cleared out in 12 balls - not a bad start. Anybody lose money on betting they wouldn't enforce the follow on.

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Grockle
18/05/2026 14:57

Seems we have floodlight issues and they are tripping out. The electrical boffins are trying to sort them but presently it seems we don't have floodlights at Taunton.

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cricketjerry-mouse
18/05/2026 16:57

Only Somerset could `celebrate` national County Cricket Day with a floodlight failure.

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Wiltshire55
18/05/2026 17:03

Having looked at the weather app, the floodlight embarrassment will, sadly, be irrelevant.

We have played well throughout this game but it looks as though rain will force a draw. Either way, that’s three in a row that we could/should have won.

The CC hasn’t gone, but just think what a lead we could have had going into the Blast. Sigh…

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Loyal of Lhasa
18/05/2026 17:17

The match looks like a certain draw when we looked like winning it, but I am actually more disappointed by the results of the Glamorgan and Yorkshire matches, in which we played below our best.

LoL

Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter

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Grockle
18/05/2026 17:19

You'll not be surprised to know that no one in the media has any idea what is happening as we have ahd no infor from anyone since before 4:45. The thing seems to be that there is still 'rain' in the air and there is this thing where umpires don't have to explain why we are waiting here to know which way this situation will probably go. Spectators have to make their own decisions on when the game is going without any official information provided to make their decisions.

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Mike TA1
18/05/2026 17:24

Somerset v Sussex 4th day photos.

Not many I returned home at lunch due to the wind being so cold. I have a circulation problem that effect my hands when the wind is cold,



James Coles ct Craig Overton bld Alfie Ogborne



Tom Haines 4 runs



Tom Haines ct Lewis Gregory bld Alfie Ogborne

At the time of posting it looks like a draw.

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Grizzers
18/05/2026 17:55

Can't fault the team for their efforts over the last four days. They played impressively & took Sussex completely out of the game.

Can't beat the weather though, more's the shame.

The floodlights are a little concerning, particularly with the Blast coming up. Hope the problem can get sorted, as the thought of that happening towards the end of a close T20 really doesn't bear thinking about.

Grizzers

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Grockle
18/05/2026 19:19

They have a repair team coming on Wednesday to make sure it is fixed before Friday

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Scrumper
18/05/2026 22:37

What happens if the lights fail in a T20?

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sfwithers
18/05/2026 22:51

Somerset would be banished forever if the lights fail in the T20 and would have to play in Division 2 of the CC until the end of time itself.

Sorry, I'm being a little cynical here; more seriously I hope the sparkies earn their keep...!

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Grockle
19/05/2026 10:53

Well keep your eyes open. If the women's game is suddenly changed to an 11:30 start you'll know the effortrs of the high voltage 'sparkies' has achieved nothing.

Though the floodlights did maintain their vigil through the rain yesterday afternoon after being turned off, allowed to cool down and then turned on again during the Tea interval

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Somerset LaLaLa
19/05/2026 12:04

Backup diesel generators for high profile matches, the Hampshire T20 will be on Sky. Either way I would expect there to be some backup batteries somewhere for the critical safety systems, scoreboards, media centre?

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Grockle
19/05/2026 12:24

It wasn't a lack of power. The lights were 'tripping out' it seems. Hence the electricall engineer visit tomorrow

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Railboy1
19/05/2026 16:13

If the problem is in the lights themselves, will someone have to go up or can they bring them down?

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Sloop John B
19/05/2026 17:42

Go up. They use a very tall cherry picker!

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Mike TA1
19/05/2026 17:48

The problem could be with the electricity sub-station that was built for the floodlights, they spliced a 3000volt cable for the sub-station, it could be the transformer or just the controls for the lights.

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hantssabre
20/05/2026 13:21

If the floodlights failed during a match, I assume, depending on how much play had taken place, the result would be decided by Duckworth Lewis. At this time of year one would assume that by the time the lights were vital, quite a lot of cricket would have been played so plenty to constitute a match

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Grockle
20/05/2026 23:04

Nope. They lost no time to the light problem. They did have to change bowlers but NOT take the players off. The only time lost was at the end of Day 2 after Haines was out I think - 4 ish overs?

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Farmer White
23/05/2026 00:38

And now, after that clinical despatch of Hamshire in the Blast, back to the final day of the CC v Sussex. As cinical until the intervention of Jupiter Pluvius

[farmerwhite.co.uk]

Farmer

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