Somerset
CC1 The White Rose in the West Country
By Grockle
May 1 2026
Welcome back to the 'County Ground' (or whatever its present label is) - no disrespect to sponsors but I've been to some places where the title of the ground has changed every time I've visited and the regulars still call it the 'County Ground' Somerset have won the toss and will bowl first.
CC1 v Yorkshire @ Taunton Friday 1 May 2026
After having a bye in the last round of games, Somerset return to Taunton with a game in hand close to the top of the table. We won the toss and will bowl first.
The side;
Josh Thomas, Archie Vaughan, Tom Lammonby, James Rew (wk), Tom Abell, Will Smeed, Thomas Rew (on debut), Lewis Gregory (c), Craig Overton, Migael Pretorius, Alfie Ogborne.
Jack Leach has a 'neck strain' so we will not see him in this game. Will Smeed keeps his place in the absence of the other two 'Toms' and gets a second chance to make a claim. Thomas Rew debuts in the Championship. The weather may have a say in this one but we are starting on time.
Lewis Gregory opens from the MT against Lyth and Bean. The first boundary comes off the fourth ball after a couple of 'jaffas' from the skipper. He nearly finishes the first with the first wicket as well though it was too good for Lyth to get a tickle.
Alfie takes first at the River and in his second over he gets first blood as he has Adam Lyth LBW plumb in front. Out comes James Wharton.
Craig comes on for the 8th at the River end with 26 on the board though Wharton has yet to get off the mark (Lyth having gone for 8) Bean has 14.
While he is still on zero he is dropped at second slip by Craig Overton - a 'dolly' from a man who doesn't usually drop anything there (though it's not the first this year one has to say) . Poor old Lewis but he gets his reward as James catches the next one and Wharton goes for a 20 ball duck. In comes Joe Root in the 11th over at 48 for 2.
The Yorkshire 50 arrives from Bean in the 13th as his new partner also struggles to get off the mark. Craig has only gone for 3 from his 3 overs and his captain has presently provided figures of 7/3/23/1 Tight Somerset bowling in the first hour.
Someone on the thread has pointed out that we have a full set of Somerst home grown players out in the middle for this game. To get there you have to add to the 10 in Somerset colours (MiggyP is the odd one out). The addition is Dom Bess spinning for the opposition.
The 17th and 18th overs see a change in bowling at both ends. Alfie takes over from the pavilion while Migael comes on for the first time in the game from the River. Yorkshire have 63 on the board and Root is off the mark. Pretorius starts with what is becoming an almost Somerset start - the maiden.
In his second over he has Finlay Bean caught behind for 35 at 64 for 3. Out comes Jonny Bairstow. After a number of straight fours from the Yorkshire pair, the umpires seem to have decided the ball needs changing and they do it halfway through the 23rd at 78 for 3.
Craig returns from the MT before the break after Root shows Alfie a few things about bowling to the best in the world with some sublime straight fours past the young bowler. The 100 arrives in the 25th as Joe seems to go up a level. The 50 partnership arrives at 114/3 off 42 balls. Craig drops Bairstow at 22 in the same second slip position again at 114 for 3 just before the lunch interval. In fact it happens literally before the break as they leave the field for 115 for 3. Root goes in on 27 from 45 while Bairstow also leaves with 23 from 26 and that drop may be ominous as these two are looking to set up the afternoon for their county. Migael is unlucky to be going in with 6/1/21/1 while Overton ends the first session with 7/2/16/0. There are 68 overs left in the day.
Lewis is back on for the start of session 2 and immediately appealing but the umpire once more is not interested (not the first time in this game). Craig opens the afternoon from the River. There are people talking about the 'inevitability' of the Yorkshire guys this afternoon but Lewis changes the nature of that equation by bowling Root for 33 in the 31st. A tentative defence stroke that misses the ball. 124 for 4 brings Revis to the crease and puts the onus back on Jonny to turn his start into something significant.
Craig gets his own back on Jonny after being disconsolate at the lunch break. He gets one to rear and move away from the big man. He tries to leave it but doesn't and Rew takes the catch. He departs for 34 at 140 for 5 and Overton might feel a little better now. The 'inevitable' pair are done with the first innings and now Somerset need to consolidate. Hill is the new man in and with that the lights come on.
Lewis then produces a blinder which Revis leaves. Unfortunately it is on target and the Yorkshire bat leaves with 8 at 140 for 6. Dom Bess now arrives at a crease he knows well. He doesn't last long because 3 balls later the skipper has him in front for zero. The score doesn't move as the wicket tally cllicks up more than once and Logan van Beek arrives with a job to do one would say. Yorkshire have slumped with 4 for 16 and with the addition of 2 leg byes Gregory takes 3 in the over as van Beek is caught by Vaughan at third slip. We move to 142 for 8 and the skipper moves to a 5-fer with present figures of 13/4/35/5. That last over was a triple wicket 'maiden' with 2 leg byes in it and they were off another appeal for a wicket.
Tom Abell then completes the slip cordon bout of fielding 'dropsey' as he fumbles Hill at first on 1 from his boss's first ball of the 39th. It goes on as Lewis bowls Richardson for 1 with one that jagged back and took leg stump. White is last man in and he drives a solid boundary through the covers to bring up the Yorkshire 150 (151 for 9). Hill gets in on the game with a massive six into the pavilion car park. The light is starting to be a consideration and the umpires do seem to be considering it as we move to the end of the 43rd. White bats the over out and Yorkshire hit 160 for 9.
At 162, Craig tempts Hill to hook to square and Tom Lammonby ends the innings at 2:50 with White leaving 1 not out. Hill hit 18 from 27. Lewis finished with 16/4/43/6 while Craig returns 14.2/2/42/2. Yorkshire slumped from 124 for 3 to 162 all out, losing 7 for 38 in the 76 balls since Root left the field.
These games are never really able to be looked at in context until both sides have faced on the same wicket. So we watch as Archie Vaughan and Josh Thomas come out to face Richardson from the MT in slightly better light at the start of the home side's first innings. Jack White starts from the River end with 1 to Archie on the board. That score doesn't change as the Yorkshire bowler registers a maiden for his first.
We get past the nervous 5 overs with 17 on the board but then Archie feathers one to Bairstow off white and we are 17 for 1 with the young opener on his way for 7 and Tom Lammonby at the crease is the first sunshine of the day. Josh Thomas has moved on to 10 from his 14 as we move towards Tea. In the 9th over, Richardson gets one to swing in very late and catches Tom Lammonby in front not getting any bat on the ball. We are 26 for 2 as the number 3 leaves for a quite scratchy 5. This brings Rew in and we hope for Tea but before that at 7 he sicks one to Bean at third slip who takes an excellent sharp low catch to send the keeper on his way at 35 for3. Out comes Tom Abell with 7 overs to go until Tea.
The 50 arrives in the 15th with Abell on 5 (14) and Thomas on 26 (35). To celebrate Josh hits van Beek's first ball for six. Hill has already changed the attack at the MT.
At Tea we have reached 63 for 3 with Josh leaving the field as the highest scorer of the game at 36 from 46. His partner Tom Abell has reached 5 from 22. There are 32 overs left in the day.
Hill starts the last session of the day from the Pavilion and within 3 balls Thomas has moved to 44. By the middle of the next pover he moves to 50 from 54 balls with 9 fours. 80 for 3 arrives with at least one bat on something of a mission after the interval. The 50 partnership arrives at 85 for 3. Mostly from Josh Thomas as Tom A has only produced 5 runs at the moment.
The 100 arrives with 23 overs to go, Abell on 13 (42) and Thomas on 63 (81). With 20 overs to go in the day (and we will probably get the majority of them) we have 112 with Thomas bossing the innings and Tom acting in his usual (at this time) support role. It will be a late one.
Against the attack of Richardson and White there is no real joy for the Yorkies. THe partners continue to accumulate runs in variable ligfht which is probably going to be OK for the duration of today. There are a number of attempts to change the ball and finally the umpires agree to a change in the 33rd over at 122 for 3 with Thomas in the 80s. The 'new' ball holds the line for a while as Revis is brought into the attack for the last part of the session. Thomas has the confidence to take him on and sixes him into the emprty Trade Nation stand to move himself into the 90s and create a new 1st class best and the 100 partnership at 136 for 3 of which he has scored some 75 while his partner has contributed a valuable but supportive 22. Josh moves into the 90s.
In the 38th Josh is on 96 and he pulls for four off Revis to go to his maiden Championship hundered at 146 for 3. It has come from 109 balls with one six and 14 fours on a pitch where no one else has looked comfortable. A brilliant start to a long career we all hope. All this and he was missed on 10 when the ball went between Bairstow and Root with neither going for it.
The 150 arrives from another Thomas four as he shows he has not real intention of slowing down. Yorkshire turn to van Beek and Dom Bess as we move towards the last 10 overs of the day. Tom Abell is not waiting either as he creams Bess for six over long on. Bess is getting some turn this evening which means Vaughan and Thomas might be interested further on in this game.
The progress continues and with 7 overs left, off Bess, the 150 partnership arrives with another Thomas four at 185 for 3. Tom Abell has moved to 38 from the 93 he has faced but the main run machine is still his young partner. Yorkshire throw their last card on the table and bring back Richardson to close out the day. Somerset have moved into the lead and Bess partners him as Somerset pass 200 in the 48th with Thomas having moved on to 135 and Abell on 41. The day ends without any other excitement. The 50th is bowled by the ex Somerset man.
Somerset end the day on 201 for 3. Josh Thomas will return tomorrow morning on 136 not out from 150 balls. His partner Tomo Abell will be on 41 from 111 balls. The home side are 39 runs ahead 50 overs into their innings and definitely in the driving seat of this game without any doubt thanks to the bowling of their captain and the batting prowess of one of their youngest stars. Just remember that we have Will Smeed, Thomas Rew (on CC1 debut), the allrounder Lewis Gregory, the in-form Craig Overton and Migael Pretorius with Alfie Ogborne on a new batting level after Hampshire still to come.
Can the county effectively [p[ut Yorklshire away tomorrow? We'll have to see won't we?
Day 2
The weather is very good this morning although there is this 'portent of doom' of rain this afternoon. The forecasts seem to be shifting so we may be lucky. However Josh won't be batting into rain as he finds the edge to White in the first over to leave for an excellent 136. 5 balls into the day and out comes Thomas Rew - have to say that is a surprise to me as I would have thought an early wicket would have invited Will Smeed to the crease rather than Rew simply on 'experience' grounds. However at 201 for 4 the 18 year old debuts for his county in the Championship.
Hill opens from the River (again a surprise as Richardson is available as well) he bowls a maiden and then White sends the debutant back, caught at third slip without bothering the scorers at the same score of 201. So Smeed is in anyway and he actually gets off strike but not off the mark as the first run of the morning is a bye.
There is something to be said for Will's effort to adapt his game to a red ball game but it is taking him an age to get off the mark. It took 20 plus balls in Hampshire to get off the mark and he is 18 balls into this one against a decidely tight Yorkshire attack without a score. Tom Abell reaches 50 off 140 balls at 212/5. An interesting fact is that Tom is the first Somerset bat since Jimmy Cook to score 5 hundreds in 6 consecutive CC1 games.
Just after that Smeedy doesn't middle one but it goes to the boundary and he is off and running after 20 balls at 218 for 5. But he still looks 'scratchy'. One hopes it will come. This is going to be a slow morning as Richardson comes on at the MT and is as tight as his earlier bowling partners.
Tom A then falls to Hill caught by Root without moving on from 50 at 223 for 6. In comes Craig Overton but he doesn't stay long as he is bowled by van Beek after 10 balls and 1 run in the 66th over at 229 for 7 out comes Lewis Gregory
The first batting bonus point arrives in the 69th over with Smeed moving to 26 and Gregory has 6. 252 for 7. 10 runs later the Somerset lead passes 100. Then the race is on to see which comes first, the new ball (we are presently int he 75th over) or Lunch (it is presently 12:45). The strong money is on the interval. Though Yorkshire introduce Dom Bess at the River end for the 76th so that may change the odds. He partners Revis for the last bit of this session.
But before the food Gregory cross bats Bess to long on and Root takes the catch. He goes for 15 at 271 for 8 and in comes Miggy P but he gets a couple of 'inner then outer' deliveries from Revis and the second one comes into him and then jags away to Root at first slip and he goes for 3 at 274 for 9. Ogborne is in and his first ball is clipped to Dom Bess square and they finish at 274 at the Lunch break. All out with a 112 lead. that brings the Lunch break 2 balls early.
As with Yorkshire yesterday the middle of the Somerset innings has slumped this morning and we lost 7 for 73 in the session
After lunch Ogborne and Gregory face Lyth and Bean but with the score on 13 in the 5th over the predicted rain arrives. Lyth has 2 and bean has 8 and we are off at 2:10
An hour later there is very little indication that this will stop today and we aere starting to think about when the umpires will call this off for the day. They do but not until aboiut 4:45 - Gone well before then, it was obvious there was going to be no more play by 3pm at the latest.
Day
A more promising outlook at the start of Sunday. Lots of cloud but much drier in the capital than at Bicknoller Towers. Lots of cloud about and the chance of showers during the afternoon but we will start on time. There are 3 balls from Gregory to come and then 104 overs in the day so they will try and make up some of the lost time today. There will of course be the regulation last day overs when we get there.
Yorkshire start the day 99 runs behind and today will have a significant say in the trajectory of this whole game as we are pretty much still at the 'halfway point' in the event.
Lewis does his bit and then Craig puts in his first spell at the River. With the first ball of his second Bean misses a straight one and is bowled for 12 and Yokshire are 24 for 1 as Wharton strides out early. Lyth is looking up for it today but in the 12th over he drives at one too many and is caught behind By Rew for 16 and departs at 43 for 2 bringing to the wicket the bat Somerset really want - Joe Root. In his first over facing the skipper everyone not on the pitch who sees his 4th delivery says it was out but the umpire and Pete Trego on commentary reckon there was doubt. If he makes a hundred we'll talk about that ball and Gregory on his knees halfway down the strip begging Umpire White to give it. He doesn't and we move on.
Yorkshire pass 50 at the end of the 14th over with Root on 5 and Wharton on 8. Migael starts his day's work in the 17th and goes for a frugal 2 from his first and he is joined by a change at the River as Alfie also starts his part of the second innings attack with the 18th. we have moved 'Extras' to 15 this morning with two boundaries missed by the fielding cordon on Day 3.
Miggy's first spell has gone pretty well as his first 4 overs have resulted in a maiden and only 4 runs off the bat. Alfie at the other end has also bowled well giving away only 18 runs from his 6 today so far. Yorkshire are moving towards 3 figures but at a 'sedate' pace rather than an acceleerating one. Wharton is taking the prime lead with 30 from 46 while Joe has 16 from 37.
Somerset turn to spin to see if there is anything there as Archie replaces Alfie at the River for the 25th over at 92 for 2. Root whips the first to the Ondaatje boundary to bring up the 50 partnership between these 2 and the 100 arrives from a squeezed sweep for a single from the 5th ball. Not a lot in that over will have worried The visitors and Vaughan goes for 9.
Yorkshire take the lead and Alfie changes ends replacing Pretorius at the MT as the Yorkshire bats both move into the 30s and start to look ominous. The spin option is replaced with Craig by the 30th over - it doesn't look like that is an option so we may see some of Tom Lammonby in the attack today - though we already have the left arm option with Alfie.
Both the Tykes move into the 40s as we move towards the break. Root has caught up with Wharton and the word. We try an over of Josh before the break and there is something there for him at the MT end. He goes for 1 and Yorkshire go in for lunch at 140 for 2 with Root on 49 from 75 and Wharton on 46 from 86. Overton goes in with 9/2/29/2 - the successful bowler of the morning though Migael's spell was very very frugal as well.
Looking at a Yorkshire lead of 28, Overton starts the second session bowling to a 'not too troubled' Joe Root. That word 'inevitable' has started to appear again but he is subject to an early appeal again though this one was outside the line and far less questionable than the Gregory one int he first session. He then moves to a 79 ball 50 with 5 fours at 141 for 2 as the floodlights are requested by the umpires. It's all happening at Taunton!! The 100 partnership (158 balls) comes a run later with Wharton moving towards his own 50 at 48 from 88. All in the post-lunch first over!!
Lewis Gregory takes the first at the other end (though there was more than one who suggested it wasn't a bad call to keep young Josh bowling from there at the start of the session. Yorkshire pass 150 in the 40th and Wharton goes to his 99 ball 50 at 156 for 2. So we all calm down for a little while until the next set of targets.
The game takes a turn as Overton bowls Root for 64 from 101 - he enjoyed that one. 166 for 3 and Bairstow comes out. Not the best ball he'll ever bowl but he did enjoy that. He bounces Jonny first ball - a 'Welcome to Taunton' delivery and he bowls him a really good one before the end of the over. He's up for this.
Unfortunately Wharton is also up for it and he doesn't look in any real trouble at all and is into the 60's so he is the danger, Somerset may look to get rid of Bairstow but in the same way other sides miss the contributions of Tom Abell we may look back on this and realise Wharton was the wicket to get. Both the Yorks bats get into Craig in the next one. They muck up his figures as they rise to 67 for 3 by the 46th.
Migael returns but from the River end this time for the 47th as Yorkshire move into the 190s. The 200 arrives in the 49th with a rushed Bairstow single. That moves him on to 16 from 13 while Wharton has 70 from 117. Alfie takes over from Lewis in another double change in the 50th over with Yorkshire at 209 for 3. The problem now becomes, where is the break going to come from? Craig has received some 'tap'. Lewis has not taken a wicket and although Migael has been very tight, he has not broken through either. If Ogborne can't do it then where are the next options? The 3 left are Archie (who got nothing before lunch from the River), Josh from the MT or turning to Tom Lammonby. The umpires may prompt a change as they decide in the 50th to change the ball. Hopefully that may change some factor in the balance of this innings.
Bairstow top edges a cut from Pretorius to Josh Thomas at deep Third on 212 for 4 for 18 and the game changes. Revis arrives with Yorkshire 100 ahead. But Migael gets some reward as he gets the new man to snick behind for 1 at 214 for 5. That ball change might have worked but Miggy P now has 26 for 2 in his 10.
Hill is the next man in with Wharton on 81 from 134. Alfie gets one to move away from Wharton and he snicks to Gregory at second slip. He goes for a very good 92 at 226/6. It was the wicket we needed and Ogborne got that one to move. In comes Dom Bess.
Overton takes over from the River for the 62nd. The 65th over sees the re-introduction of Josh Thomas from the MT Yorkshire pass 250 from his last ball but they do not look comfortable against him by any means. Hill has moved to 15 and Dom Bess has 4 as we go to double spin before Tea with Archie taking over from the River as well.
At Tea the score has moved on to 257 for 6 with Hill on 18 from 35 and Bess on 8 from 29. The lead is 145 and this game is in an interesting position which could go either way.
The last session of Day 3 sees 41 overs left in the contest today. Somerset are not continuing with the spin option at the Marcus T Pavilion as Lewis Gregory returns to the attack at the start of what will be a long session. The skipper does however continue to be partnered by Archie at the River and Yorkshire's lead moves to 150 from his first ball via two runs from Hill. 262 for 6. We are just over 10 overs from the new ball and it may be a holding action until that happens if little comes from the first few after Tea. Two balls into the next over and there is a debate about the ball again and it looks like we are going to change it again. So we move on to Ball 3 with Ball 4 a mere 9 overs away.
The Yorks pair are starting to look dangerous in this situation but Gregory is always in this and Craig holds a low one at second slip (and that will make him feel better) to send Hill on his way for 31 at 273 for 7. In comes van Beek. Migael is back on at the MT for the 77th as Yorks move to 170 ahead. It's all stumbling towards the new ball with nothing really happening until Archie bowls a real turner totalling the stumps and van Beek wanders off dragging his bat after him having added 5. 286 for 8 brings Richardson to the crease. Archie breaks 50 runs but he has a wicket from his 10 overs.
Somerset take the new ball at 294 for 8 with Pretorius getting first use of it. Bess has moved on to 22 from 59 and van Beek has 5 from the 13 faced. A lead of 182 when anything over 200 would make for an 'interesting' chase for the win.
Craig will return from the River and after that we see a quick change at the MT as Lewis come back on. The Yorkshire 300 arrives in the 83rd and the lead passes 200 in the 87th. They try Alfie at the MT as we move into that 'doldrum' period at the back of Day 3. No one is getting anything going and these two can score. We could see this one getting beyond us before tomorrow morning as the pitch shows nothing now but is a minefield tomorrow morning. We have all been here before.
Archie is introduced at the River because the new ball is offering nothing (one wonders whether we ought to have tried Archie wth the old ball for a couple more overs after he had got one to turn significantly). We may also see Josh at the other end to see what it is doing there as well.
For now, we continue with Ogborne but little changes and in the 94th over a 50 partnership arrives between Bess and Richardson at 337 as the lead also passes 225. Anything past 250 would be a 'squeeky bum' type of score given there will probably be cloud cover tomorrow. However we get a break as Bess plops a catch to sub Jake Ball ,running around the Somerset boundary, for 40 from 88 at 337 for 8. White is the last man in with Richardson on 27. He blocks out most of the 95th over from the left armer as they add 1 to the score. They are still in at the end of the 98th over and we bring Pretorius back from the Pavilion as Yorks move to 240 ahead. It's 350 for 9 as we move into the last 10 overs of the day.
The lights come on as the 100th over ends After the 101st we re-introduce Josh at the River end this time to see if he gets anything there - or probably just to give Archie a break. The 240 lead arrives from his second ball. With 6 overs to go the umpires are looking at the ball and will change it again after a life of 23 overs. This will be the 5th ball of the day!! We are struggling to remember when the ball was last hit off the field - certainly not since the 80th over change to a new one. Strange.
A cut for four takes Richardson on to 46 from 104 balls as Yorks move to 358 for 9 and Somerset now do not really want to come out and bat tonight. Craig Overton returns at the MT and his first ball has White getting off the mark with a boundary to bring up the 250 lead. Gregory also changes ends at the River to deliver the last significant over. After this a wicket in the next over will end the game for the day. There is not wicket and 3 remain at 363 for 9.
Archie come on for the penultimate over from the River as the score stalls at 363. His produces a maiden and that leaves the last over of the day to be bowled by COve. Richardson scampers a two to go to 48. Then the lights have to go out (regulations) and so the umpires will now take them off with two overs left and a lead of 253. That's the day.
The lights went off because the nature of using them changes at 7pm. If they are on AFTER that time it becomes a 'USAGE' day and we only have a specific number of those - mostly already used for T20 games. So the lights had to go off at 7pm and so they did.
Day 4
One of those 'important days in a season' this one - like the Worcestershire day last season which effectively decided our role in the CC1 for 2025. Many are looking at this one like the introduction by Justin Langer of David Stiff at number 5 in the Yorkshire chase of 2009. A kind of 'oh we ARE going for it then' kind of moment. A win here will be a push of momentum towards a SERIOUS run for the CC1 pennant.
So Richardson on 48 (from 116) and White on 5 (37) face Craig Overton from the MT with 97 overs in the day and 253 needed by the home side for the win at the moment. Richardson moves to 49 before the second over is delivered by Lewis Gregory in bright sunshine from a sky ringed by greyish clouds. The weather may have a say but we all hope not either way because this is a game that deserves a result to be honest.
Richardson completes an important 50 for his county from 112 balls and a four from his partner moves the ask to 259 at the end of the 2nd. Richardson comes all the way down the wickert to do a bit of gardening and then goes back to snick one straight to Rew and Somerset require 260 runs to win from 92 overs as the heavy roller comes out. Craig finishes with 4 for 94
Vaughan and Thomas open against White and then Hill from the River. There is an early legside strangle appeal against Vaughan but Bairstow dropped it so it would not have mattered anyway. The appeals are strangled instead. Archie has 3 before Josh gets off the mark with a solid cut to the Caddyshack. But it doesn't start well as Archie misses a straight ball and is bowled for 4 by Hill at 9 for 1. In comes Tom Lammonby for the start of the 4th over.
Dom is introduced for the 10th ovder with Somerset stumbling through to 13 for 1 with Tom L on 4 and Thomas becalmed on 5. It is not looking promising at the moment but at least the two bats are still there so we have to hope we can weather this storm and move the game on in the second hour of the day. Both present bats look vulnerable and 'scratchy' to say the least.
Hill is returned to the attack for the 13th and he immediately removes Lammonby who leaves a ball that was far too close and is bowled for 4. 16 for 2 and in comes James Rew but he only lasts 6 balls before he is caught behind looking to push forward against Dom at 21 for 3. The next man in is Tom Abell with quite a lot of faith resting on him.
There is then some level of stabalisation which suggests there are still some move required to sort out the front end of Somerset's batting order. The role of Archie Vaughan in this batting line-up is still a debate. He does not presently seem like an opener though his talent should be somewhere in the top 5. Tom Lammonby, who has been pretty solid in the number 3 spot is very much out of form presently and may need to re-assess his role as well. When the other two Toms (KC and Banton) are fit, alongside Lewis Goldsworthy there are still some dicussions to be had about who bats where in which format I would imagine.
Richardson is introduced in the 20th over with 35 on the board. Abell has 13 from 17 and his partner Thomas has still only just reached 12 from his 60. The heavy roller does not seem to have done the home side any real favours and they are finding batting moderately tricky still in this first session.
Over 24 sees a change in Yorkshire strategy as Joe Root joins the attack for the first time in the game. They may have decided that a double spin attack is the root to their victory in this game and at 46 for 3 why not?
The 50 arrives in the 26th over with Tom A on 20 from 29 and Thomas on 20 from 80 which tells you everything you need to kow from this morning's ease of batting. Bess does return to double up the slow ball attack just before the beckoning Lunch break. It arrives at 57 for 3 after 29 overs, leaving 63 in the day. Abell has moved to 24 from 34 and Thomas is still there on 23 from 96. We need another 203 and Yorkshire need 7 wickets while weather may intervene around the 3pm mark... All results are still open this afternoon.
The afternoon session starts with Hill from the River and nearly has Tom in front early on - it was close. The umpire is not convinced and we continue. White takes the opening over at the other end. The total needed drops below 200 in the 32nd. In the 34th the umpires look at the ball again and guess what? They change another 'new' ball after only 35 overs!!
The 50 partnership arrives from 120 balls between Thomas and Abell at 74 for 3 from a Thomas boundary. They are moving at about the same speed now. Both are in the 30s though the older man has got there in half the number of balls.
Thje first Yorkshire afternoon change comes in the 36th as van Beek replaces White at the MT. At 85 for 3 however the stability ends as Tom Abell is caught by Hill off the bowling of Bess for 41. This takes away the partnership and opens us up as Thomas Rew comes out to join Josh with the target still at 175. This is not good although the next few overs will definitely be interesting. He gets off the mark with an excellent cover drive at least so the start is good.
In the 40th over we reach 100 with a Rew single. He moves to 6 from 7 while his partner is on 43 from 125. During van Beek's next over (43) the score moves to 150 needed (a RRR of 3 and over). But this game is by no means anywhere near being over yet.
Root returns to the MT for the 45th to ask the young men of Somerset some questions. They are still there at the end of his first. A single off Dom takes Josh to 50 off 140 balls including only 3 fours. He's had to work for that one. Thomas Rew then shows his youth by trying an extranvagant reverse sweep off the very next ball and is lucky to get away with what could have been a costly top edge. Always worried when a Rew sweeps in anyway at all.
Thomas is looking to take the spinners on and it may not be exactly the right plan tough he is getting something from about half the attempts. The confidence to sweep a couple of England spinners is to be commended... as long as it works. On the other hand he is holding this game n his hands at the same time so we need a bit of both and not too much of the over confidence. By the end of the 48th over the score has moved on to 120 for 4 with Rew presently doing a lot of the attempting to score but 140 still required for a win.
The two Somerset men move to a 50 partnership at 135 for 4 with Josh on 57 from 160 and Thomas on 28 from 49. But Josh goes to Dom for 57 caught at first slip by Hill. He nearly went two balls before when he hit it down but this one popped up into the grateful fielders hands. A good patient and long innings from the young man. In comes another player who needs a patient innings in Will Smeed at 136 for 5. We still need 123 to win this.
Thomas looks to cut Root. He fails to and is caught by Bairstow for 30 runs at 142 for 6. Not what we wanted and now you would put your money on Yorkshire winning this one. We need 118 as Craig Overton arrives at the crease.
The 150 arrives in the 61st over (a couple of overs before Tea) though Craig has yet to get off the mark - he does next ball with a 2. He then middles one straight into the short leg's (Adam Lyth) hands for 2 at 152 for 7. Even Lyth was surprised - but the wicket is the wicket and the skipper arrives with the game in his hands either side of Tea. He starts with an aggressive cut to the Somerset Stand boundary and the runs needed moves to 104. It's Yorkshire's game to lose now one would say. The odds must be with the visitor's from here.
They go in for Tea at 167 for 7 with Smeedy on 17 from 17 and Lewis on 10 from 10. They need 93 to win while Yorkshire need 3 wickets. Gotta say the money is on the oppostition for the last session.
After Tea Root continues and he has Smeed playing an injudicious shot that is caught by Hill at slip trying to run it down to Third for 21 at 173 for 8. In comes Migael Pretorius who few have faith will stay long. He smashes his first ball straight back at Root, he didn't have to play it and he departs first ball for absolutely NOTHING caught and bowled
Alfie Ogborne is the last man in with Root on a 5-fer and a hat-trick. He doesn't get it though the ball does fly up off the close fielder's leg. It drops safely. Dom Bess may have the last say from the River but we survive another one. It is only a matter of time however with Alfie not taking singles and Lewis having to therefore score 80 odd in boundaries and via singles off the 5th balls of overs. It does not seem likely one has to say.
With 25 overs of the day to go. Little chance of being saved by rain and needing 82 runs, somehow this has become an 'interesting' game in a number of ways. Not in any sense that suggests we will win this though they have moved it down to 77 needed with 23 overs to go. Unvortunately Bess bowls Alfie and we lose by 75 runs. Bess finishes with 24.2/4/60/4 Root ends with 16/2/49/4
Disappointing end to a really good game. Very disappointing second innings batting effort being bowled by 184. Not impressed with most of that performance with the bat to be honest. Josh did well in the two innings but we still have an opener problem and rely far too much on Tom Abell to hold our innings together.
The discussions about it 'being our year' and '3 victories in a row' were both previous once again. We have to take our chances - and this most definitely was one. If we don't, we won't win the CC1and after that second half performance one has to say that THIS is NOT our year...yet!!
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As usual this thread will be closed until the end of the game and then merged with comments on the other thread.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2026:05:05:21:58:56 by Grockle.
Possible returns to the side as well though Tom Banton won't b e one of them just yet despite returning from the IPL with a finger injury. Other injured players may well be up for consideration once more though
Good for him, albeot it does conjure up all kinds of questions re will he play, who keeps, who opens & who gests left out.
[somersetcountycc.co.uk]
Grizzers
Proofreader still needed, Match Preview headline Somerset v Nottinghamshire.
If so, and with the uncertain weather predicted, it could be a high scoring two innings chase for bonus points. Unless, of course, we are going to risk preparing a ‘sporting’ pitch.
Thomas
Lammonby
Abell
Rew (Sr)
Smeed
Vaughan
Gregory
Overton
Pretorius
Leach
Ogborne
Shortish tail, four fastish bowlers (one lefty), two spinners (one lefty).
But as Mike says, perm any 11 from 14.
I can see all sorts of different viable options, though I don't feel Shaw's likely to play. And whether they play two spinners is moot. I can see them trying another different opening pair, perhaps including Vaughan.
Hopefully Banton and TK-C aren't far from fitness.
I really, really can't see us deliberately preparing a 'sporting' pitch given the potential penalties; they'd be much better off chasing bonus points and a draw rather than a fairly good chance - given Somerset's record - of gaining a big fat zero points. Especially at this time of the year.
It depends what courses and coursework variants he has taken.
Examinations usually start towards the end of May into the begining of June.
My economics kids would have been off on revision from the Whitsun holiday (this week) and then would be in for exams when they were relevant.
Arts usually are first - if there are practical aspects then they tend to happen early. Languages also have early one on one assessments in a lot of cases.
General exams hit in the May/June window with any practical technica lexams coming at the end. Should all be done by the second week in June. A lot of the practical aspects will have been covered by external coursework assesssments already. So depending on what Thomas is taking will determine whether he has a concentrated or more spread out exam timetable.
The speculators will just have to deal with the fact that he'll be done by mid June. He's been named in other squads this season already. Not sure it will mean he will play in any of them.
It's up to Thomas, his family and the club I suppose
.
If the speculators are desperate to find out, they can go on the school sites, find out which exam boards his school operate under and then go to that boards site and get all the dates they want - the official timetables will be on there... down to the time of day!!
Of course they'll still have to speculate which exams he's taking. Unless they DEMAND to also know which subjects he is being examined in.
Or we can just wait until June/July when it will no longer be an issue.
Have to admit I agree with ya about the mad amounts of speculation over this guy's school work.
Economics and Irony....
Well I suppose it depends on whether you understand what you are talking about when talking about the theories related to the subject.
In some parts of the world it is more difficult to work out whether the people talking about topics don't have the Year 11 understanding of the basic concepts or they are just lying because the Boss told them to. Now is that ironic? It's idiotic and the consequences are sometimes world affecting.
I suppose the irony comes for the poor devils who voted for people with kindergarden levels of understanding of the theories who then use the massive power they have been given to destroy the jobs and prospects of the people who put them in power thinking they knew what they were talking about. Now THAT is ironic.
I suppose it could also be a pretty good definition of 'popularism' in a lot of the present Western world
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:04:30:20:00:31 by Grockle.
You heard it here first (and last).
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
James would look like a pretty mature and 'solid' Year 13
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:05:01:12:02:53 by Grockle.
And we've started on time as well
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:05:01:11:13:47 by Grockle.
And Alfie in the wickets again 😊
And good to see another wicket for Ogborne.
Quote:Shepton Paul 2
Ten “Somerset” players plus one overseas - is any other county close to producing such local squads?
😊
And the eleventh home-grown man is playing for Yorkshire!
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
And what a spell from the skipper and vice! The builders better get on with things, we are going to need Gregory and Overton stands.
As I always say, I'm not jumping the gun here (I've followed sport forever and things can go wrong very quickly) but Somerset are clearly in the better position. And with the Yorkshire innings being so short, it reduces the potential effect the weather can have...
That said, I've just looked at the weather forecast for the next few days, and it's got worse, with both tomorrow afternoon and Sunday looking very poor, and Monday not that much better.
That leaves a potential dilemma, of course: go for max batting points, or declare with the aim of bowling Yorks out again. Either way, it requires Somerset to bat on for a fair bit, so it may not come into play...
But what is it with the relentless clapping every ball.
Archie Vaughan 4 runs
James Rew ct Finlay Bean bld Jack White
James Wharton ct James Rew bld Lewis Gregory
Josh Thomas 4 runs and his 50
Tom Lammonby lbw Jhye Richardson
A bad start, along came Thomas and Abell to the rescue, there is a opportunity for Somerset tomorrow to bury Yorkshire.
After Lewis's spectacular efforts with the ball, you'd surely have got long odds on him not being the close of play headliner.
Josh made that innings look easy, which it most certainly wasn't despite the conditions gradullay easing through the afternoon. We need to press on from here though, as tomorrow morning is unlikely to be an easy ride. Let alone adverse weather to consider.
But that really was something to savour & will long live in the memory.
Grizzers
I wasn't expecting that from Josh - hoped but not expected. THAT was stupendous and I really really want more of THAT
We seem to have found 'being relentless' from somewhere. I want us to work out a way to win this game and I want us to WIN IT because this was too good a day to be a draw.
Bess needs to be played very carefully, he was turning the ball quite a bit.
Quote:I think there was one from Bess which narrowly missed the left-hander Thomas's outside edge (not sure - I was watching from side-on). Conversely the right-handed Abell was able to target the off-spinner and hit him over the top. Luckily all our batsmen from Abell onwards are right-handers.Mike TA1
I want to add this, I went home after watching Josh get his 100.
Bess needs to be played very carefully, he was turning the ball quite a bit.
All Yorkshire's batsmen from 3 to 10 are also right-handers. Fingers crossed we don't find ourselves wishing that left-armer Leach had been fit in Yorkshire's second innings.
Mind you. Until today I didn't think he was Marcus.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:05:02:09:33:04 by That Bloke With The Dog.
I really thought in that 40 odd against Notts that he was quite something and nothing about his low scores since had dissuaded me of that. You can’t play that well without it being in you to do it angain and some low scores will be a feature for every opening bat. I suppose we have to have reasonable expectations; remember Tom Lammonby in his breakthrough season.
The sad part of seeing a bright new star come through to the county team now is the thought that that you lose them to England so quickly and pretty well forever. Bearing that in mind, I think we have to enjoy Tom Abell even more as at least we should be guaranteed him full-time.
Yes Yorkshire bowled well, but we really didn’t help ourselves, e.g. Lewis !
At least we got one batting point and it was good to see Will Smeed getting some runs, but the morning certainly brought us back to earth with a bump.
Suspect the weather will likely win the rest of the day.
Let’s hope we can refocus with the ball whenever the weather allows us to get back on the field.
Grizzers
What there was of them.
Josh Thomas ct Jonny Bairstow bld Jack White
Tom Abell 50 runs
Will Smeed 4 runs
That’s all I can manage today.
My disappointment today was Lewis Gregory getting out to a shot like that, to the longest boundary with two fielders out on that side.
Weather predicted in the mid afternoon but we'll have to see what effect that has.
Adam Lyth ct James Rew bld Craig Overton
Dom Bess 4 runs
Finlay Bean bld Craig Overton
James Wharton Craig Overton making him jump.
Logan Van Beek bld Archie Vaughan
The win is still within reach.
One big difference was the pitches were much more difficult in 2011 and not many teams chased 250 in fourth innings . I’m backing Somerset to do it tomorrow, as teams are now much more used to scoring 300 in fourth innings.
There has been NO declaration over night (surprise surprise)
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:05:04:12:38:38 by Devonboy70.
TKC though the early prognosis was a little optimistic it seems - they thought he might be back for this one.
Banton but not until the Blast games probably so we have gained very little from him returning early
Goldsworthy a middle level hamstring injury will probably put him out until at least the start of the Blast campaign
Stiil, 100 runs missed out on with a poor batting session and 85 runs leaked at the end of yesterday was the difference.
Been here many times before sadly
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:05:04:17:50:14 by Nailsea_Fizz.
James Rew ct Jonny Bairstow bld Dom Bess
Jhye Richardson ct James Rew bld Craig Overton
Josh Thomas 50 runs
Josh Thomas ct George Hill bld Dom Bess
Thomas Rew 50 partnership
Tom Lammonby bld George Hill
it was always going to be a hard day and it proved to be.
Today's effort was tough, but we handed the initiative to Yorks by scoring at less than two an over for the first twenty overs. Yorkshire bowled admirably, but we were over defensive and frankly rarely looked like getting close.
Bags of talent, but inconsistent application.
Still, we are only nine points off the top of the table, so we have time to brush ourselves off & do better.
Hopefully.
Grizzers
Tom Lammonby is in a drought of form and may need to step back for a game or two - though at the moment that is simply not possible with 4 bats out next week.
Archie still doesn't seem to be sure where his spot is in this side and Thomas Rew will not be available for Glamorgan
Migael needs to get his head in the game for the whole of it. His choice of shots while batting this season have not been great (givefn the position to day that one was awful) and though he produces very frugal spells he has to support the front end with wickets far more than it presently happening.
Josh did very well and Will Smeed is getting there (gradually finding the middle ground between his natural game and the red ball aspects)
This was an opportunity we squandered in a division that doesn't give you too many to throw away.
Yorkshire’s number 10 did bat very well but it seemed to me there was a real loss of intensity and to treat a number 10 (who was on 20 when the number 11 came in) as Bradman just never works. Just stick to the fields that have got you to that point.
The strange thing is that every cricketer I ever speak to about that tactic says something like “ I agree with you, but you just do it”. It isn’t a criticism of Gregory per se, although I have seen him do it several times.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:05:05:10:13:56 by Des Platt.
[farmerwhite.co.uk]
Another tight match with so many parallels to the Hampshire match, if with a different outcome. A window on what awaits if we are ever to win the Championship is my conclusion.
For anyone who wants to compare, here is the link to my report on the final day at Hampshire (the first day at Hampshire can also be found on my website):
[farmerwhite.co.uk]
Cloudy but bright in Cardiff at pesent.
Farmer
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