We’ve
done it before, of course. Somerset’s problem for 120 years is never being in
that position at the end of the season. With injuries and England call-ups, we
ought to be at the opposite end of the table but I shall enjoy the moment while
I can. Having forced the previous leading side Nottinghamshire to follow on,
Tom Abell’s side must have contemplated wrapping things up inside three days.
However, the Notts batting was far more resilient second time around and, with
Tom Moores completing his first Championship century, they ended up setting
Somerset a tricky 248 to win on the final day. I needn’t have worried. Matt
Renshaw took his match aggregate to 167 and Stephen Davies and Abell compiled
one of their useful fifth-wicket stands to clinch victory.
They
lead the table by a single point from Surrey, who pounded Hampshire by an
innings at Southampton. Rory Burns top-scored with 151 before his attack bowled
the home side out twice. Rikki Clarke claimed a five-for while Morne Morkel’s debut
featured two typically miserly blasts with the ball. It doesn’t get easier for
Somerset because they now face a trip to The Oval and a potential dive down the
table should Essex beat Notts.
The
champions advanced to third having dealt Lancashire a five-wicket defeat at Old
Trafford. Last year’s stars Jamie Porter and Simon Harmer were again in fine
fettle, garnering seven wickets apiece. Essex may be missing captain Ryan Ten
Doeschate next week after he was punished for another disciplinary indiscretion
with a one-match ban.
In
Division Two, Ian Bell became the first Warwickshire player to score two
hundreds in a match since – er – he last did it in 2004. Strange to think he
hadn’t reached three figures in red-ball cricket for two years then does it twice
in a few days. Helped by Jonathan Trott and solid bowling support, Warwickshire
outclassed Glamorgan to more twenty-four points clear. Kent remain second but,
having amassed almost 600 in the first innings and Matt Henry proceeding to
take 6-58, they must be disappointed not to have taken maximum points at
Bristol. Instead, Gloucestershire fought back with Dent and van Buuren and
secured a draw.
Leicestershire
must be feeling dizzy in third place but they were worthy winners over
Northamptonshire who can’t seem to score runs. Zak Chappell’s first-innings
6-44 and an excellent performance from medium-pacer Ben Raine, eclipsing his
opening partner Mohammed Abbas, helped set up a six-wicket success.
At
Chester-le-Street, Durham contrived to beat Derbyshire despite being skittled for
96 on the opening morning, when Duanne Olivier nabbed 5-20. The inexperienced Gareth
Harte’s 114 started to reverse fortunes while the very experienced Chris Rushworth completed the comeback with 5-46.
As
in Division One, next week sees first playing second so, if Warwickshire defeat
Kent, Durham could enter the promotion zone should they overcome Sussex at
Arundel. With no money and their best batsmen pilfered by the big boys, Durham will
be relieved and proud of such an improvement. Northants will host
Gloucestershire and harbour hopes of securing a first Championship triumph of
2018.
Team of the
Week:
Renshaw
(Som), Burns (Sur), Bell (War), Denly (Ken), Khawaja (Gla), Davies (Som +), van
Buuren (Glo), Raine (Lei), Harmer (Ess), Olivier (Der), Rushworth (Dur)
