Somerset wrap up sensational win – Somerset

Somerset wrap up sensational win

MATCH CENTER

Somerset completed an absolutely sensational turnaround to inflict a record defeat on Nottinghamshire on day three of a dramatic LV= Insurance County Championship clash at the Cooper Associates County Ground.

After being bowled out for just 163 on the opening day, even Somerset’s staunchest supporters will question whether a victory is possible for their side, especially by such a huge margin.

James Rew completed his fourth First-Class century of the season, and in doing so surpassed his previous high score, while the Somerset attack was once again almost unplayable as the visitors were at a loss, which suffered their biggest margin of runs defeat in domestic cricket, beating the previous 365-run defeat against Kent in 1899.

Somerset’s impressive 399-run win in three days saw the hosts score 19 points to the visitor’s three.

The 19-year-old Rew’s career-best 123 not out was just one of many highlights as his side raced to 514 for eight declared in their second innings to set their opponents an unlikely target achievement of 492.

George Bartlett, unbeaten on 109 overnight, fell to a brilliant 134, just three short of his career-best score, while Kasey Aldridge weighed in with 50. Lyndon James had the best bowling figures for Notts with two for 64 from 18 overs.

The visitors collapsed to 92 all out in their second innings, Josh Davey taking four for 17.

Somerset started the day at 268 for four, knowing that the second new ball had just finished. Any hope Notts had of using this to re-establish their first-day advantage was soon dashed. Bartlett and Rew bowled confidently in the opening overs, taking few risks and eliminating the mistakes that cost Somerset their first innings.

They got their fifth-wicket stand on 89 and the total was 320 when Bartlett, who started his innings with his team 43 for two, was bowled by Dane Paterson, who faced 265 balls and struck of 14 fours and a six.

Rew reached a typically unhurried fifty from 105 deliveries and played the morning session without alarm and at lunch, he moved to 60 and the lead was 342. Aldridge was on 17 and the afternoon session built one another big commitment.

Rew unleashed sixes over long-on and mid-wicket off Matt Carter, whose off-spin posed as little threat as the seamers on what looked to be a very flat pitch.

Aldridge led past 400 with a cover boundary from Brett Hutton before Rew brought up the fifth First Class hundred of his short career from 172 balls, with 10 fours and two sixes. Aldridge, who has impressed with the bat this season, scored a fifty off 88 balls, but was then bowled by James, who hit five fours. By then Somerset had posted 447 for six and their lead had grown to 424.

It was then just a case of when skipper Tom Abell chose to declare. By the time he did, Craig Overton and Matt Henry had warmed up to their bowling duties with some cheeky shots, Henry clearing the ropes twice, while the ever-vigilant Rew extended his rock solid innings in 216 balls and just over four and three-quarter hours.

Tea was taken before Notts began their monumental task. It became more mountainous when Haseeb Hammed was run out without scoring, sent back to attempt a single towards backward point and was undone by Bartlett’s direct hit.

Two for two when Henry, bowling around the wicket, chipped one off left-hander Ben Slater’s pads to pin him lbw and 10 for three when Matthew Montgomery struck on a defensive shot from Overton to Aldridge at second slip.

Notts captain Steven Mullaney found himself walking to the crease on 14 for four after Joe Clarke was snapped up at second slip by Overton to give Henry his eighth wicket of the match.

The sheer pace of Somerset’s opening bowlers changed the look of the pitch, and when Josh Davey replaced Overton, his first over saw James edge past Tom Lammonby at third slip.

Henry, whose bowling on the second morning changed the course of the game, was rested after taking two for 19 from eight overs and his replacement, Aldridge, soon caught Mullaney behind for 23 to make it 62 for six.

Hutton was sporting a walk when Davey had an inside edge to wicketkeeper Rew, who claimed another victim when Tom Moores, on 24, nicked the ball from Aldridge. Davey then cleaned up Jake Ball and Dane Paterson to spark jubilant celebrations on the field and among the home supporters.