The start of the 4 day - Nottinghamshire at home
By Grockle
April 3 2026
We welcome the 2025 Champions first up in early April. The weather is not the greatest but it is dry though there is moisture in the air. Lewis Gregory is not playing and Craig Overton will captain the side. Off we go everyone - have a good summer
CC1 v Nottinghamshire @ Taunton - Friday 3 July 2026
No Lewis Gregory for the first game of the season (pectoral muscle injury). The toss has been done and it looks like we will be batting first having lost the toss. Craig Overton will skipper the following side;
TKC, Josh Thomas, Tom Lammonby, James Rew, Tom Abell, Lewis Goldsworthy, Craig Overton, Jack Leach, Migael Pretorius, Alfie Ogborne, Jake Ball
No Archie or new signing Josh Shaw who both miss out for this game.
So it's not a great start without the skipper but it certainly looks like we will start at 11am. It didn't look likely at 9 in West Somerset. So on we go...
Ollie Stone opens from the River end and Josh has the guts to take the first ball - not his first opening game but he gets off the mark and will also face the second from Pennington. Before the end of that over TKC gets the chance to also face and get off the mark with a near boundary shot for 2.
Trigger thinks there was a drop - but there wasn't, there was a puff of sand (therre's a LOT of sand on the pitch) before it reached the fielder so as we get to the end of the fifth we have moved to 7 without loss. We don't make it unscathed however as Stone produces a moving ball that has TKC pinned in the crease and he is bowled for 4. Tom Lammonby arrives to face the new ball once again at 7 for 1.
We've doubled the score by the 10th but we've also doubled the wickets lost as Tom is caught by Verreynne off the bowling of Pennington with one ball to go of the 10th. He goes for 3 from 17 and passes James Rew on his way out to the middle.
The lights are on as the Quantocks disappear at the Minehead end and the rain looks to be moving up the valley. The groundstaff are looking to be preparing as Lyndon James comes on first change for Stone at the River. The umpires have had a chat but we carry on for now. Rew played a very good cover drive in the last over and Josh follows suit with another stonking boundary off James at the start of the 13th. He then drops the first chance of the morning in the 14th at 3rd slip - seems this one did carry off the second change in bowling as Lord has open his account from the MT.
The 50 arrives as the scoreboard freezes for the first time in the season. It happens during the 19th over with Thomas on 30 from 62 and Rew on 14 from 25. The 50 partnership arrives from the bat of Thomas at 64 for 2 with him on 39 and his partner on 17. This heralds a change as Pennington returns for the spell just before lunch. At the other end (River) Patterson-White comes on for the first spin from the Notts bowlers. Josh comes forward to one which jags in to him and he is caught by McCann. He smacks his leg in disappointment but he did well to settle in for 40 from 84. 66 for 3 with about 15 minutes to the lunch break and Tom Abell arrives at the crease. White is 1 for 1 off 1.
McCann also gets a chance of a bowl before the break as he comes on for the 30th at 77 for 3 with Tom A taking his time scoring only 1 from his first 14 balls. No risks before Lunch then which arrives at 78 for 3 for Somerset with Rew on 28 from 49 and Abell doubling his score to 2 fom 18. 30 overs gone. 66 to go in the day.
Stone and James start the second session with Ollie from the River taking the first. The 100 arrives in the 37th over off the bowling of Stone with Tom moving on to 11 from 37 and James on 39 from 67. After no scoring by the Somerset keeper in 3 overs, he may be welcoming the change in bowling as Lord takes over from Stone at the River for the 40th at 114 for 3. A 50 partnership arrives from 94 balls at 116 for 3. Most of the second half of that has come from the bat of Tom Abell who has moved from 11 to 26 while his partner has been stuck on 39.
Pennington is back on at the MT for the 44th but progress is slow as we trundle past 125 and the bats seem to be 'chasing' each other (very slowly) towards possible 50s. To be fair, the bowling of Pennington and Lord has been very tight and sharp so the fact that both bats are still there is defintely a good thing from our point of view. However, runs are as rare as rocking horse droppings and it is still very possible that Abell may reach 50 first if either of them do.
James finally gets there from 112 balls with 4 fours - patience is a virtue - 148 for 3 in the 52nd over. His 13th first class 50 but his 12th for Somerset. In reaction Notts bring on Patterson-White to change things a little. Last time they did this he took a wicket in his first over. Fingers crossed that doesn't happen again as the Somerset 150 arrives after his second ball.
Tom brings up the 100 partnership with a boundary that takes him to 53 from 90 with 7 fours at 167/3. He follows that up with the first six of the innings to move the score to 177 for 3 in the 55th. The 100 partnership came off 176 balls so it wasn't exactly speedy, but they are both still there and we would have taken this at 66 before lunch.
Meanwhile Stone changes ends for the 56th over. The 200 arrives in the 61st with Tom on 76 with Rew on 60. Eventually, Rew tries to sweep Patterson-White just before the Tea interval and the ball pops up and is well caught by keeper Verreynne. It was worth the attempt, it was unlucky to be matched with some excellent fielding but it breaks an excellent partnership as James goes for 64 giving Lewis Goldsworthy a fraught time either side of the upcoming break - hopefully. 206 for 4.
With 32 overs to go Tea is taken at 208 for 4 with Tom Abell on 80 from 131 while Lewis G Jr has faced only 1 ball and has yet to get off the mark.
After Tea, Stone and James are back on to take us into the last phase of Day 1. Lewis gets into his role with a boundary as his partner looks to move into the 90's. Unfortunately Golders will not be around for the 3 figures if it comes as he feathers one from Lord to the keeper and goes for a 40 ball 18 as he was stalled at that total for a while. Craig arrives and patiently settles in to help Tom to a ton. He waits a while before he brings up the 250 with a boundary to the MT rope after a couple of forward defensives. Tom is on 98 as White starts the last over before the new ball. Craig gets him on strike with one ball to go and him on 99. He takes the chance and a single to get to 100 at 260 for 5 from 173 balls with 9 fours and 2 sixes. His 21st first class century for the county and a good one too.
The new ball is then available but they may not take it if White is getting something from this one at the MT. It seems he isn't getting much because Pennington returns to take the new ball for the 81st at 264 for 5 with a maximum of 15 overs remaining in the day. Cove edges the second ball to 3rd slip, a low chance, which is dropped by Haynes. Should have caught it. Craig replies 2 balls later with a boundary to the Somerset Stand. Ain't it always the way?
The light seems to have stabalised at an adequate level after it seemed to be deteriorating to a point where not much was expected after about 5:15. We haven't lost any definition recently and will probably get a whole day's play against most of the Friday predictions before we started. Pennington is asking a lot of questions in the light we do have as Craig plays and misses at the whole of the 86th over without getting a sniff of any of the deliveries. Stone then does the same with one ball to Abell and he gets a bit of it and is caught behind for 108 at 286 for 6. Jack Leach comes in on merit and not in a 'watchman' role. If we get another 10 overs tonight it will be an interesting session of play.
The umpires have a chat as the shadows hit four sides though it looks like they are taking them off for rain with 7 overs to go at 292 for 6. Craig has 32 from 41 with Jack on 4 from 15 who was a little worried about a knock on his finger just before the sides left the pitch so that might be a good thing for the whole game from our point of view perhaps?
It's not definite yet but the covers are coming on so it is probably the end of the day. But the umpires call it almost immediately so play ends on Day 1. A decent first day though we won't know what the implications for today are until both sides are one innings into the game so tomorrow will be an interesting extension.
Day 2
We start again on time. As on Good Friday it looked a little 'iffy' at 9 am but it has certainly improved to quite a bright and dry start. The sky has cleared to blue with high and semi sparse cloud. We have 97 overs today (not sure where that number has come from). Pennington will complete the 90th over of the innings from the MT after they were taken off last night. Craig Overton will face to start on 32 from 42 and Somerset have 292 for 6. He takes a single to bring Jack Leach on strike with 4 to his name from the 15 he faced. He also restarts with a single.
A very confident cut through the covers from the spinner brings up the 300 and a second batting point for us and takes Jack to 9. He only adds another 2 and loses a couple of lives before being caught by Slater from Pennington at 309 to bring Migael Pretorius to the middle for the first time this season. You don't wonder how he will bat as he "Chinese" cuts for four off ball 3 and then snicks to the other side for another 4 off his 4th.
He makes it to 11 off 15 before he swings at a straight one and is bowled at 331. Not exactly a great first bat from our overseas. In comes Alfie who has a first task of supporting his skipper past 50 as he is presently on 49. Craig goes to his 20th first class 50 off 71 balls with 9 fours at 335 for 8. He has looked good in both his times in the middle this year, confident and purposeful. Excellent innings from last night into today even though the ball has continued to go past the bat today like it did for almost all of yesterday. The commentators were talking on Friday about over 50 play and miss deliveries. Ollie Stone's follow through yesterday included a raised arm in expectation for most of his overs yet he only has one wicket as I type.
Pennington gets Alfie to chop on and we are in danger of missing out on a 3rd bonus point as at 339 for 9 out comes Jake Ball. Craig takes the initiative and tells Jake to follow his lead as he farms the strike and attempts to make at least the 11 needed to get to 350. Then? Who knows. He hits a very good boundary followed by a quick run two to move us to 346 and himself to the strikers end for the 103rd from Pennington. Unfortunately he takes a single to give Jake 2 balls to face. He can't do it as Pennington gets his well deserved 5-fer as Ball hangs his bat out and is caught at third slip by Haynes. Craig smacks his pad as they fail by 3 runs to get the bonus point they should have worked to get. It happens a lot. All out for 347. We need to THINK more about how we manage the end of our first innings to maximise our bonus points tally.
Craig will therefore now be fired up as he starts the Somerset attack from the River end. Umpire Pollard does not give a very good shout as Hameed is pretty plumb ball 2 - he must have got something on it. He starts with a maiden before Alfie Ogborne takes the other end opening over with the other Notts man Slater facing. They take 6 from that second but he is definitely sending balls down with significant 'wheels' on them. The man has put a yard on his pace. The umpires seem concerned about something as they had a chat during Alfie's second and they have a conversation with Craig at the end of the over. Are they concerned about Ogborne running on the strip or something? No idea. It all seems to be sorted for the moment as we get on with the 5th over. It ends with a second Overton maiden and Notts have 10 without a loss.
Jake comes on first change for the 8th at the MT. By the 10th Notts have moved into mid 20's and the initial hopes of early wickets are starting to fade. Despite the fact that half the skipper's first 6 overs have been maidens, the question is already there "Where are the wickets coming from"? Lunch arrives with Notts on 34 without loss with Hameed on 11 and Slater on 23. Overton has been the pick of the bowlers with 6/3/9/0. He isn't going for runs and he has been past the bat more than once.
The afternoon starts with Jake from the MT and then Miggy P comes on for his first 2026 spell from the River. A straight boundary shot from Hameed is the only run scoring shot and he goes past the bat twice as well. Not a bad start but still no wicket joy.
The Notts 50 arrives without loss in the 16th with Hameed moving on to 21 and Slater with 30. Migael gets one to nip in, clips the top of the stumps and Slater is gone for 30. 59 for 1. It does not start a flurry of wickets however. Jake has gone for 34 from his 7 but Tom Lammonby keeps us in it with a brilliant low catch in the covers from Pretorious and Hameed has to depart for 33 at 72 for 2. In comes Clarke to complete the 21st with Migael on 5/2/11/2.
Alfie returns for the 22nd from the River and in the 24th there is a suggestion of a possible feather behind from Clarke but it is doubtful that it was an edge - more hope than judgement. But he produces a maiden so he is working well. Overton returns at the River for the 25th as well. Unfortunately, 6 overs later we are still no further forward and Clarke and McCann have moved the score very close to the 3 figure mark. Craig is going for less than 2 an over but is not taking wickets while Alfie sees the 100 arrive off the first ball of the 32nd over having conceded 34 runs without worrying the wicket column either. Being tight is not the only thing that has to happen if we are to win CC1 games. People are starting to look at Jack and it is too early in the season to be expecting too much from him probably.
Conditions have been deteriorating most of the afternoon and at 3:10 the rain finally arrives and the umpires take the players off at 114 for 2 halfway through the 33rd over. Clarke has moved to 23 from 34 and McCann has 27 from 51.
The players are taking an early Tea and will return at 3:30 if there is no more rain with 48 overs left in the day.
They are back on at 3:40 with a bit of breeze but no rain and Craig is immediately appealling for the first ball he bowls to complete the 33rd. Both Somerset commentators believe he has a point but the umpire is not as impressed and Clarke survives. The first full over after Tea (34th) sees Migael changing ends to the MT. The 50 partnership arrives from 81 balls as Notts move past 122. Freddie McCann then gives Pretorius his third glancing the ball to TKC at first slip - 128 for 3 and Miggy has 3 for 19. Haynes is the next man in and he is straight off the mark with a boundary to the Jack White gate corner of the ground.
After 40, Alfie also changes ends and replaces his captain at the River end for the 41st at 137 for 3. Notts brings up the 150 in the 45th over with Clarke on 44 (74) and Haynes on 13 (24). Ogborne also goes over 50 in his 12th with Pretorius on 3 for 28 in his dozen.
At 156 for 3 we introduce Jack Leach into the attack from the River and Jake returns at the pavilion to partner him with the 48th over. He bowls a couple of very tight overs for an addition of two while Jack goes for 10 and then the umpires take the sides off for bad light.
However, the next 15 minutes sees a considerable positive change in the quality of the light so it is highly likely that they will return to the middle by 5:15. There are 27 overs left at the moment. As we re-commence with Jake continuing from the MT. Clarke goes to 50 from 99 balls with 4 fours. Jack continues from the River after the initial over goes for a single.
The 50 partnership between Clarke and Haynes arrives at 178 for 3 from 185 balls in the 57th over. The Notts 200 arrives in the 60th as Ball loses his focus a little and goes for quite a lot off his last two. There are only another 7 overs bowled before the end of the day's play when Notts leave the field at 218 for 3 at the end of the 67th. Clarke finishes the day on 70 from 140 balls while his partner Haynes passes 50 to 53 from 93.
Notts are 129 runs behind with 7 wickets in hand and the message of the day is that Somerset are going to struggle this year to dismiss sides if this is going to be their attack. The only bowler to take wickets today was Migael and though there was a distinct lack of luck in the cases of both Craig and Alfie the fact of the matter is that they were not penetrating the way Somerset want in the first innings. You cannot win CC1 games without being able to look at taking 20 wickets and this attack does not suggest that , there is help for the spinners in the side, the seam aspect is capable of doing that even with Lewis Gregory available.
If Josh Shaw is the only new player to join this attack, why is he not playing and if he is not able to break in even if we are a bowler down then when will they blood JT Langridge to see if his pace can make a difference. Effectively the only other seam options besides the present Tom Lammonby are those three names and they don't say to any side "be very afraid if we pick all three". Sorry - the bowling is not incisive or dangerous enough to scare any of our opponents in this league. Somerset will have better days but better enough to win games? Many iof the people watching this game seem to highly doubt it.
Anyway on to Day 3. Happy Easter break to all.
Day 3
101 overs in the day and 13 to the all important (if not vital) new ball. Craig opens the third day from the MT bowling to Haynes in bright sunshine on what suggests will be a 'variable' day in terms of weather. My 20 minute drive into Taunton this morning was a total summary of what may happen.
However it starts really well as the first play and miss this morning is a play and snick. James Rew takes the catch and Haynes goes for 55 at 220 for 4. Craig gets some reward for the toil of yesterday when nothing hit the bat despite some excellent tight bowling. Things is looking up. However one should remind people that a couple of years ago, Overton did exactly this at the start of a day (it was a Day 4) and that was all the action that happened that day... so don't get your hopes up just yet.
To keep our feet on the ground, the rain comes wafting in and the umpires send the teams to the dressing rooms at 11:15. We have lost 3 overs and will re-commence at 11:40.
We are back on at that time with Migael taking the first over from the River end. He does get the new man Verreynne to nibble at one but the low chance is shelled by Kohler-Cadmore at first slip. It wasn't easy but you would gamble on him taking that one 8 tiomes out of ten so it was a chance. It's still 229 for 4.
Jake Ball replaces the skipper for the 76th over from the MT and the Notts guys move on towards the 250 mark as the rain sweeps across the ground again. The groundstaff are waiting to bring the sheets on so we will be off again in a moment. Meanwhile Notts move under 100 behind at 248 for 4. The officials have a chat but decide to stay out and on we go. It is going to be one of those sorts of day with quite a lot of 'will they won't they' moments with cricket in between.
The 250 arrives in the 78th over off Ball as Clarke moves through the 80s and his keeper moves into double figures. Alfie replaces Miggy P at the River for the 79th in bright sunshine - a good decision by the umpires to keep the players on the pitch. Somerset also take the new ball with Craig changing ends with it to the River end after bowling well from the pavilion. We may see Ogborne changing ends to the MT in order to 'prepare' the area for Jack to come on after the captain? Who knows? It's a theory at least. Umpire Pollard was very aware of Alfie being left handed yesterday - hence his conversations with the home side skipper yesterday perhaps.
Tom Lammonby is limping off after being hit on the leg by the Notts keeper. Alfie nearly gets Verreynne in his follow through but it is just out of reach. But the next ball he gets him LBW for 25 from 46 at 268 for 5. He got the ball to swing back in with nearly everyone in the ground willing him to take a wicket. In comes Lyndon James. Clarke will not pass 3 figures as he is bowled for a valuable 92 two balls later by one that does even more from the young left armer - an absolute beauty to bring in Patterson-White. He gets a little excited and one goes down the leg side for 4 to end the over at 273 for 6 and move his figures to 14/2/57/2.
Then the rain returns and the umpires take the sides off once more as the sheets return to the middle at 12:35. One would assume after quite a violent shower that the sides will take an early lunch but their absence from the middle gives the media team the opportunity to show Alfie's dismissal of Clarke from every conceivable angle from side to side and back to front. It looks very good from the side. Play will resume at 1:30 it seems.
The afternoon starts with Craig and a very keen Alfie who comes very close in his first post lunch over with a full ball which the umpire, probably correctly, decides just looks to be going down on Patterson-White. In the 86th though Alfie finds the same length and he sends James on his way with an edge to Rew for 10. He's on a roll with 3 for 65 (presently his career best first class figures) as Lord walks out at 284 for 7. He nearly has Lord first ball as well - he has got his length just right. Notts are still 63 behind, now can Somerset clear the tail? Sam Kingdom has pointed out that these are the first first class wickets that Alfie has taken for us that were NOT against Hampshire (his previous 3 were against them in 2 seperate games).
With 90 gone and 70 to go in the day we turn back to Migael from the River and the 300 arrives from his first ball. Alfie nearly has White at 309 but he is put down at 2nd slip by CRAIG OVERTON who 'never drops them'... except here!! It was a regulation grab and Notts survive. The current partnership has moved to 30 as Jack Leach starts to go though his warming up exercises. We expect to see him before the Tea interval, especially if this partnership starts to grow into something significant. But Miggy takes Patterson-White, caught behind for 17 down the leg side by James Rew. Not sure the bat or the keeper were that sure but the umpire's finger rises and he's on his way at 314 for 8. Out comes Ollie Stone and we bring on Jake Ball for the 98th over.
As predicted, with Notts 20 runs behind we see the Mighty Jack coming on at the River end for the 101st over of the inning and he almost has Lord first ball. But Jake finally gets a wicket courtesy of an excellent catch from TKC to remove Lord for 22 which brings Pennington to the crease at 332 for 9. He then cleans up the last man (Pennington) to the same fielder for 5 and we turn around with a lead of 9 at 338 all out. Jake ends with 90 for 2. Jack has 32 for 0 off is 11. Migael has 4 for 65, Alfie has 3 for 81, Craig 1 for 63
A quick turnaround and we are back out for the second phase of this game Josh Thomas will face the first ball from the River end bowled by Ollie Stone at 3:05 on Day 3 in bright sunshine. He is off the mark with a clip through the covers for four to the car park side of the ground. Pennington will deliver the first from the MT to TKC. He is finally also off the mark with a clip down to the CA for a quick single. The luck goes with us as Patterson-White drops TKC in the slips for no apparent reason and we survive the 3rd at 7 for 0.
But we don't survive the fourth as Pennington has Josh caught plumb in front for 6. In comes James Rew instead of Tom Lammonby which suggests that shin injury might be a bit more of a 'pain' than we initially thought. Notts try Lord and Liam Patterson-White before the Tea interval to keep the Somerset men wondering. But they are still there on 32 for 1 when the break comes. James Rew has moved to 13 from 29 and TKC has 9 from 29 as well.
After Tea, Ollie Stone opens from the River and we move to 40 as James takes 8 from it. Lyndon James starts the session from the MT. The 50 arrives in the 15th over with Rew on 23 from 39 and TKC on 20 from 37. The 50 partnership then arrives at 57 for 1 after James adds another 4 to the score (from 73 balls). James Rew reaches 50 from 69 balls with 6 fours and 1 six - 2 were sweeps!! 98 for 1 in the 25th over and the 100 up follows a couple of balls later.
The 100 partnership arrives between these two from 145 balls at 107 for 1. James on 52 from 82 and Tom on 43 from 69. Patterson-White is working hard from the River but TKC is being remarkably patient at the batting end. There are 25 overs left in the day at 108 for 1 and people are already starting to look for end game scenarios for this game. Tom goes to 50 off 81 fours including 8 fours at 128 for 1 and these two are starting to look at pushing the score on to give a base for some of these declaration theories to turn into possibilities for tomorrow. James Rew has started to sweep more and that tends to suggest he's opening up (it also usually means he'll be out soon) while TKC is so unpredictable you are never really sure if there is any method to his batting anyway. At 132 for 1 with 23 overs left in the day and the Notts attack tiring a little it might not be a bad strategy if they can keep the wicket losses to a minimum as they more the score on. The lead is presently 142 and they'd need at least another 200 on top of that to make a declaration any kind of plan. The other side of the question then becomes how long would one side need to get the other side out on this pitch at this time of year. That may be more than for any kind of result in this game but it's worth the thought with a day to go and the weather suggesting there will be no breaks for that.
Stone returns at the pavilion end for the 33rd (20 after this one). The 150 arrives in the 38th over with a majestic four from Rew to take him to 76 from 117 at 153 for 1. As has been the case the 150 partnership follows hotfoot after the score goes past it at 157 for 1.
There now seems to be a race to see who gets to 100 first. TKC seems keen to get there first as the umpires are requesting the floodlight be lit up in pretty bright sun. Both end the 44th on 85. The shadow is starting to encroach onto the strip and the umpires have had a chat about the effect of it. Umpirre Holder once ended a game when the shadow of the flats cut a strip close to the Somerset stand in half so there is precedence. It will have an effect in the next couple of overs at the Botham end at least. Probably this is the reason why they have asked for the lights to come on?
The lead passes 200 in the 46th over and by the 50th with 5 overs to go we have reached 197 with TKC on 90 from 141 and his partner James on 95 from 145. Once again the umpires are having a chat and either putting the heavy bails on or taking light readings to a supporter's slow hand clap and 'Get on with it' shouts. Patterson-White wheels in, TKC takes a single. Rew does the same to the next ball and the 200 arrives with the 4th ball of the 51st. James then drives to the Botham for his 12th first class ton with 12 fours and 2 sixes in 147 balls. 204 for 1 becomes 205 as he adds a single at the end of the over.
The next milestone comes when they reach 207 creating the 200 partnership in the 52nd - they need 16 runs more to break the record for the second wicket score against Notts. With one over to go the score is 213 for 1. James has moved to 107 but it looks like Tom KC will have to wait until tomorrow to join him. The last over is from Lord at the MT with our keeper facing. The lead is 222 and TKC is on 94 at the non striker's end. A slow single means James nearly manages to run his partner out as a shy at the stumps would have seen him run out had it hit. He defends the 5th ball and then is up the pitch but fails to connect and he will end the day 6 short - he did try for it. 214 for 1 James Rew 108 off 157 and Tom Kohler-Cadmore unbeaten on 94 from 153. 54 overs done and we'll be back for something tomorrow morning.
Day 4
Notts open with the spin of Patterson-White from the River with James Rew facing and with a few singles we move closer to the TKC century. It doesn't come from the first so Pennington takes the Mt end. Tom moves to 99 at the end of the 56th (94 left in the day). He is facing and patiently bats out the whole over from the spinner without looking for the run.
His patience disappears in the next over and he pulls Penington for 4 to take him to 103 off 168 balls with 14 fours. It also beats the best 2nd wicket partnership against Notts beating 216 by Arul and Compo in 2012 at Trent Bridge. A patient ton from the man who doesn't usually fit well with the word. It doesn't last as he puts a ball from Patterson White into the stratosphere and is caught and bowled for 104 at 231 for 2. A 224 partnership followed by the arrival of Tom Lammonby at the crease.
At 242, with White getting noticable turn this morning James Rew is given out LBW for 122 from 184 balls. In comes Tom Abell. He flips his first down the legside for four. Another 4 before the end of the over takes him to 8 and brings up the Somerset 250 for 3.
The two Toms seem aware of the need to then move the score on before the lunch break and start to look for opportunties to do that off the bowling of Patterson-White from the River and a combination of James and Stone from the MT pavilion. They reach a 50 partnership from 61 deliveries at 292 and then push the score past 300 in the 76th. Tom Abell looks like he will reach 50 first before he is caught by Haynes in the deep for 42 off the Notts spinner at 322 for 4. Tom Lammonby does reach 50 some 20 runs later in a partnership with new man Lewis Goldsworthy. His comes from 70 balls and he continues to look for chances, bringing up the 350 with a six into the CA for good measure in the 83rd after Notts choose not to take the new ball hoping to stem the tide. Tom L takes 18 off the 8 balls after his 50 and finally dies going for another one when he is caught on the rope by Slater.
370 for 5 with Lewis Jr on a run a ball 14 brings an early lunch, a 379 lead and 65.5 overs to go in the day. Time for a declaration discussion and an indication that we are serious in our ambitions for this season perhaps? Who will be next in will be interesting. One would assume Craig Overton and Miggy P are looking at this and thinking; "What can we get from 10 overs?".
Craig joins the game after the lunchbreak as Patterson-White finishes the 85th over. James continues from the MT and Lewis seems to show his intention as he deposits James into the bridge car park for six second ball. He drives his next ball to the Gimblett scoreboard for four more. They finish the 86th with a lead of 398. They move it past 400 at the beginning of the next. A six from the skipper takes Somerset over 400 to 405 for 5. Notts have all their fielders on the boundary so they are expecting Somerset to hit out. Somerset declare at 407 for 5 and leave Notts with 417 to win off 60 overs (losing 2 for the changeover). A strange decision to come out for 3 after lunch - why not have a run at them before the break as well if this was the plan? Is just over 400 that much more than 380 odd? Ahh well it will make little differnce in the grand scheme of things one would imagine as we will run through them or we won't in the time left in the game.
Craig opens from the River against Hameed and goes for one. Alfie opens the second innings at the MT end also to Hameed. A very, very good first over with both Notts men finding him hard to clear. At 33 for 0 after 8 Jack Leach takes residency at the River end (probably for the rest of the game). He goes for 1 from his first but doesn't look all that dangerous so we may not be 'running through' the Notts side any time soon. Alfie after first over promise has gone for 27 from his first 5.
The Notts 50 arrives in 12.5 overs with Hameed on 9 and Slater taking the lead role on 40 from 49. Pretorius has replaced Ogborne at the MT end as Jack bowls his 3rd over going for 3 so far. Very little changes until Jake Ball takes over at the MT and Slater goes to 50 from 76 balls with 9 fours during his first (the 20th of the innings). We wonder which of the two Jakes we will get, the 'tight' one or the 'four ball an over one'. His first 2 only go for 5 with one of them being a maiden so it looks like the former presently. Meanwhile Jack has gone for 15 from his 8 and we move towards Tea with Notts still needing 339 from the 37 overs left in the game.
At Tea Notts are 86 for 0 with Hameed on 23 from 58 and Slater on 60 from 98. There are 34 overs left after the break and they 331 to win the game.
We move into the last part of this game with Jack continuing from the River to Hameed. Alfie returns at the other end. He takes the first wicket when an attempted hook from Slater is caught by TKC at short fine leg. He goes for 60 at 90 for 1. In comes McCann just before Jack takes the other half of the partnership as he has Hameed LBW for 27 at the same score. Joe Clarke arrives in the middle with lots more Somerset fielders around the bat all much more interested in where the ball ends up.
Notts pass 100 before the next bit of excitement as Clarke is bowled by Leach for 12 off 21 at 104 for 3 with 25 overs still left in the game. Haynes will replace him joining McCann who has managed 2 from his 19 deliveries faced. Alfie then thinks he's got another but it was going down when reviewed on the livestream but you could say Somerset are up for this though it probably is too far away to be realistically possible yet. They may take the game past the 5pm shutoff though to keep the hope alive a little longer.
Though they are bringing Jake back on and that may be it. With 20 overs to go the game seems to be still on though at the end of that one the score has moved on to 127 without any kind of further loss. 288 runs are still needed with the Runs required well into double figures now. The draw looks pretty much nailed on and we are just wondering when they will shake hands.
Josh Thomas gets the call for the 44th from the MT as a final throw of a very shakey dice one would imagine. They move to 140 as Jack joins him with the 45th. He bowls a maiden and they shake hands with 15 overs left at 140 for 3. Somerset take 13 points and Notts share that total.
It has to be assessed as a successful game for us against the 2025 Champions. There are things to discuss but they certainly aren't all negative.
The arrival on a long term basis of Alfie and Josh ought to be looked on as progress though both have a lot to learn yet despite potential being shown by both in this game. The opening partnership is still a mystery though TKC has probably nailed on one of the places for the first part of the season one would imagine - where does Archie Vaughan find his place one then asks? Our batting middle order offered far more solidity inthis game than many in 2025 and seems to be pretty much settled if you look at spots 3 to 5 with James the two Toms. Number 6 is up for grabs with a number looking at it but one would imagine Lewis Gregory will return for Essex and then Craig and Jack will be looking at Migael and Alfie as their companions in the bowling section of the side. Others may well have to wait for injury or rotation before they see the red ball in 2026 one would imagine. Can we win games with that side? Well we've shown that we can compete, though whether we can win games at Taunton is a question that includes the pitch as well. we head for Chelmsford next and that is always a bit of a lottery. we won't be back here until the end of April when we welcome Yorkshire. On to Essex!!
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:04:09:17:52:54 by Grockle.
No idea if the first eleven is a side but it maps out as;
TKC
Josh Thomas
Tom Lammonby
Tom Abell
James Rew
Lewis Goldsworthy
Lewis Gregory
Archie Vaughan
Migael Pretorius
Craig Overton
Jack Leach
Josh Shaw, Jake Ball and Alfie Ogborne make up the 14
The preview mentions the possibility of Ben Duckett playing though the press seem doubtful about this. No reference to the possible availability of Josh Tongue as well so I suppose we'll have to wait and see.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:04:02:20:18:08 by Grockle.
So, weather permitting, I might come down Saturday and Monday - we'll see.
It looks a decent and unsurprising selection, and I suspect your 11 will be close to those chosen.
Such is life as a Somerset fan.
Ho hum.
Grizzers
The 15th opening partnership since the start of the 2024 season, and the 10th since the start of the 2025 season.
Stats from the ever reliable Dan Kingdom, posted on Twitter.
Noticed on the livestream thread someone saying TKC was a fine bat but no opener. That may well be true but hardly affair sample when he was out to a ball that would’ve got out just about any right handed bat ever.
Something strange going on here. Made that post at 1320 and showing as 1253.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:04:03:12:54:19 by Des Platt.
ep I can't say I've ever believed that TKC was n ay kind of solution to our opening issue. Nothing he does tends to convince me that he would ever have the consistency against good attacks.
One day they will decide that Rewey is maybe the possible solution but we may have to wait until his brother is available long term as a keeper. They are gradually moving him that way.
Calgary at -10C felt warmer !!!
Good recovery so far. Agree with the above comments re our openers. Would be quite surprised if Josh Thomas and JR aren’t our red ball permanent top of the order representatives by the end of July.
Grizzers
P.S. Why is Tom Abell wearing ‘opal fruitesque’ boots ? Definitely worthy of a fine !
Grizzers
James Rew
Josh Thomas
Tom Abell
Tom Abell 6 runs
Tom Kohler-Cadmore
I returned home at tea, it is still cold
It turns out that the same technique and temperament is worth 40 runs by 12.30 against the champions on the first morning in April, and that is really good.
Tom Abell batted like a man reborn. For two or three years he's basically had the yips. But today it was all there: clarity, confidence ... a privilege to have witnessed it, even if I have no idea what has triggered it.
[www.thetimes.com]
Grizzers
Quote:Grizzers
Excellent article by Mike Atherton (may be behind paywall unfortunately):
[www.thetimes.com]
Grizzers
Non-paywalled version:
[archive.ph]
It was busy when he arrived so he took a spot at the back without complaint. He didn't ask for any kind of special consideration, just mucked in with everyone else.
He talked to the people he wrote about in the article.
He went and had a look at the museum. He asked those there about things and he chatted with Jamie in the box in public during the lunchbreak.
He interacted with everyone, including birthday kids & their parents visiting the top floor.
Haven't seen many mainstream members of the Press do that to that extent in Taunton for years.
Journalism is still alive and about the place.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:04:03:21:34:44 by Grockle.
So nuanced, when it's very easy - as a fan - to be much more one-eyed.
Many thanks for posting.
If the weather forecast had been better (and I hadn't pulled a stomach muscle playing table tennis and badminton this week...) I'd have been there today. But from being three down for not that many, that has to be a positive result for Somerset come the end of the day.
I hope Abell and Overton aren't seriously incapacitated after cramp (or more) and that knock, but I had visions of a sub-200 score early on.
The major comments today were about what a genuinely nice guy MA was all day. Very impressed by him
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:04:04:10:31:35 by Loyal of Lhasa.
"Where are the wickets coming from in this attack?"
However. If I am being asked to suggest how to strengthen this attack I'm afraid other than that the addition of Josh Shaw doesn't fill me with optimism.
I'd rather see us gamble on introducing JT Langridge because of his pace. Not that either improves my optimism for a competitive CC1 campaign I have to be honest.
We are definitely a bowler short unless one of the younger players REALLY comes to the red ball party.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:04:04:21:24:43 by Grockle.
Alfie Ogborne bld Dillon Pennington
Craig Overton
Craig Overton 4 runs and his 50 runs
Jack Leach well placed shot for 4 runs,
That's all today, see what tomorrow brings
Quote:Grockle
We will have luckier days and Lewis Gregory will add to our attack when and IF he can bowl.
However. If I am being asked tosuggest how to strengthen this attack I'm afraid other than that the addition of Josh Shaw doesn't fill me with optimism.
I'd rather see us gamble on introducing JT Langridge because of his pace. Not that either improves my optimism for a competitive CC1 campaign I have to be honest.
We are definitely a bowler short unless one of the younger players REALLY comes to the red ball party.
Agreed Grockle. I’d argue we are an overseas bowler short even if one of the younger players did step up. Point being proven already. Shall keep banging that drum and remind the management of this at next members forum if one isn’t recruited before then. Thought Alfie showed some promise without consistency.
And much as we would undoubtedly have taken 347 when we were 14/2 yesterday morning, we simply have to get better at harvesting bonus points. Craig batted superbly to get us within spitting distance of our third batting point, but three runs short is the sort of thing that could cost us dearly (at either end of the table) at the end of September.
Grizzers
The best we may do is holding out for 11ish point draws so managing batting bonus points may be the difference between CC1 and CC2 In 2027 I'm afraid.
Jason may be 'comfortable' with that... not sure I am.
If Craig, Lewis and Migael stay fit & have good seasons then we can expect 100 to 120 CC wickets. If Jack gets anywhere near last year he moves the total to 165 ish. Where are any of the other available 115 coming from?
If Jake & Josh take 30 between them (optimistic) we're still 80 short. Archie? Lewis Jr? Josh T? Tom L? Are they capable of 20 each or anything like that?
Maths is a beast isn't it?
The other question is - if he is a better option that our new signing Josh Shaw, what have we signed him for in terms of usage?
Presently I'd put trying out JT ahead of using either of them - at least we will then know what we have and can act accordingly.
Happier today but my optimism hasn't exactly altered too much I'm afraid even though it is great to see Alfie get his line right
Uncharacteristically, rather less impressive ‘catching’ by Craig unfortunately.
Sun and blue skies making a very welcome appearance.
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Great to see Ogborne get some wickets with some lovely bowling, and I'm glad that Overton's surprising drop made little difference.
The caught behind looked a poor decision, as did the non-LBW yesterday that looked as plumb as could be. Hey ho.
Fingers crossed for Thomas and Kohler-Cadmore in what I presume will be better conditions than yesterday morning. But having watched Somerset opening partnerships over the last few years, I shall reserve judgement.
But as has been commented: first innings lead. That really didn't look likely with Notts 200+ for three wickets and looking very settled.
Josh Shaw is NOT good, and I wouldn't expect much from him in red ball.
Jake Ball is equivalent to Jack Brooks - same style of bowler - bowls very, very, very full to give it a chance to move but is, generally, too slow to pull the length back if said movement is nowhere to be found ... hence on days when they take few wickets, this type of bowler sadly goes around the park. So they're either 17 overs, 4 for 50, if there is movement there, or 25 overs, 1 for 125 if there isn't!!
Mr Hurry needs to find us a second overseas paceman.
We need to be able to perm 3 from 4 of Craig, Lewis and 2 overseas for most games, with Alfie being the fourth seamer most of the time, and Ball and Shaw being confined to only occasional appearances.
He/she (I'm fairly sure it was actually she) used to often post about the so-called "curse of the third innings."
I've never been entirely convinced about it, but here is a situation where it could possibly obtain.
Tbh, unless we expect the pitch to turn a lot or become really uneven, a team winning the toss at Taunton, should probably always field, and this game is an example of why. Notts have NOT played better than us. They did NOT get a better total than us. And, yet, at the conclusion of the respective first innings, they obviously had a better chance of winning this game than we did, albeit the draw continues to appear favourite.
For us to win, we'd have to get bundled out in about 60 overs, total, and then bundle them out, under the sunshine, on a day four pitch tomorrow, in about the same amount of time. Very unlikely. For them to win, they need to get us out in about 55 or so overs and then knock off the runs in what are likely to be pristine batting conditions, tomorrow. Less unikely than the former scenario.
Does anybody know how Tom L is and whether/when he is likely to bat?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:04:05:15:44:52 by AGod.
The club swear blind that he is wrong...
Who knows?
I thought Ollie Stone was supposed to be "express"???
He's just sent down a full over where, per our speed gun, his fastest ball was... uh.. 77mph!!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:04:05:16:24:37 by AGod.
Tom L is OK and will probably be next in
I think it's unlikely, to say the least that we declare any earlier than half an hour before tea, quite frankly (which would really leave no chance of bowling them out!)
And it's perfectly possible that we don't bother declaring at all.... I mean it's going to be a long season, we are a little light on seam bowling resources, and so there might be little sense in putting extra miles into seam bowling legs on what is becoming a very flat pitch!?
Though I don't envy Notts heading back up the M5 tomorrow evening at the end of the Easter break in the school holidays... it will be rammed!
Very encouraged by our performance today. The strip may be benign, but we've still managed to crumble in a heap plenty of times before, on similar surfaces.
Our bowling was also very focused.
Grizzers
Either way, hopefully Lammonby and Goldsworthy will get some runs …. if they are needed, that is. It was a very encouraging performance today against the reigning champions. Optimism levels have increased a little.
I thought that Stone et al. were still asking questions, while Kohler-Cadmore and Rew were answering them in style. Absolutely class batting.
We'll see, but if I were a Notts supporter, I would not be looking forward to having to survive 60 overs after lunch tomorrow with Somerset 400 in front and a now fired-up Ogborne, Overton and Big Mig thundering in.
At 5s it would be 375 off 65 at lunch.
Realistically we wont get more than 50/55 overs maximum.
We have easily had the best of the match against the current champions.
Lost a bad toss on cloudy day 1.
Lost our captain last minute.
Still gained a first innings lead.
Had no luck bowling on day 2.
A commanding lead after day 3 when often that "third" innings can go wrong.
A chance to put some pressure on tomorrow afternoon if nothing else.
A very solid start to our red ball season
Happy to be corrected.
Set session times.
Only additional possible overs are if you fit in more than 16 overs in the last hour.
I'm actually planning to come tomorrow, though my expectation is that it will be a draw.
But Somerset have the chance - admittedly a small one - of winning, and I think they'll go for it (and I think they should go for it). This all assumes it doesn't go pear-shaped first thing of course, which could happen.
But at this rate of scoring, or anything like it, Somerset will have a chance to declare around lunch time and put the pressure on Nottinghamshire.
Either way, just how good is James Rew?! (Or James New, as spellcheck would have it...) And great to see runs from T K-C, who really wanted that century!
Hey ho!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:04:05:23:16:45 by sfwithers.
It's time for Somerset to seriously take the "LEARNINGS" that they keep on saying they are seeing and do something with them to move forward from here to create a side that does a little more than surprise us and the management in red ball cricket on a semi regular basis because one day it isn't going to. Maybe the 'Whew dodged the CC1 bullet again" view is not the opinion they ought to operate for the rest of the season but work on building something with the new blood etc.
Our batting IS adapting to its weaknesses though they are still there. Our middle order strength is holding the side together more often when the frontend fails which has to happen now we have weakend our tail. How can we sort out the problem and therefore support our hard work in the middle order?
The bowling came back stronger On Day 3 with promising signs from a new character but we are still at least a frontline bowler short no matter who is available from the present resource base. Can we do something about that in the games before our spin attack starts to make a difference?
Look at what happened and build on it. What haven't we tried? Where haven't we looked? Show the fans you are doing what you keep saying you are doing so we see the adapatations and some positive change. We have at least 70% of a Championship winning side - maybe more. Seriously work to find the rest or at least look at getting more out of what you have.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2026:04:06:10:16:02 by Grockle.
It would be very Somerset not to take the last wicket, which will give the moaners something to say. On another note, I was surprised how easily Essex beat Hampshire. Potential champions and relegation candidates there? (As usual we will finish second.)
Their names are Bradman and Tendulkar.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2026:04:06:10:54:58 by Grockle.
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
For those following this thread - the poster remembered a little earlier here is on the ground today playing a role for the club.
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Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
We're hoping they go " Let's have a go for 10 overs and then gi ve em a go" Then we may be up for something in 2026. If not then we'll call it a draw at 4:30 and the staus quo will continue in Somerset's CC ambitions.
But I can’t help pondering that the best signing we could make would be a JCB, to blow up the pitch.
Grizzers
Craig doesn’t seem to be quite the “ force of nature” that Farmer called him a few years ago though maybe the rib was a problem.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:04:06:18:21:04 by Des Platt.
Though at least it's in black and white.
That said, surely 'below average' pitches by their very definition have to be, er, lots! We'll see how that pans out.
No worries about Taunton's pitch today, except trying to achieve a win on it...!
*********
(From the Guardian)
Below averages surfaces will mean zero points for home team
Some significant changes in pitch regulations are reported in The Cricketer today. Nick Friend reports that any team who prepare a Championship pitch rated “below average, poor or unfit” by the match referee will lose all points from that match.
Regulation 16.2.6: “In the event of a match being abandoned due to a pitch that has been rated unfit, or if the pitch is rated poor or below average, in accordance with the ECB’s pitch regulations, the home team shall be awarded zero points and any first innings points already achieved shall be rescinded,”
“The home team shall be credited with a loss and the away team a draw for tiebreaker purposes.”
Teams could also be referred to the Cricket Regulator
Ben Slater, the ball nearly got through.
Craig Overton 6 runs
James Rew
Lewis Goldsworthy 4 runs
Tom Abell 4 runs
Tom Kohler-Cadmore c&b Liam Patterson-White – Top edge
Tom Lammonby
It was always going to be a draw when we didn't set a total quick enough.
A draw is better than losing.
But... the fans I talked to today all thought we'd declare at lunch.
That would have been a target of 380 in 66 overs, which is very much at the upper end of what is achievable even with players brought up on T20 cricket
The final target of 417 in 60 meant that Notts effectively only had to survive the new ball for 20 or so overs, which they did.
Overall I think this was a good result for Somerset, and with different weather we may have had a slightly better chance of victory. There were good individual performances from most of the team - notably Abell, Rew, Osborne, Cohler-Cadmore - which I think should help, though Overton looked inconvenienced at one point.
And Taunton is a very lovely venue!
I’m not against the idea, as long as it’s applied to the Surreys and Essexes if this world as well as the Somersets and Glamorgans.
Quote:Bagpuss
Think there are three home-grown players in the Nottinghamshire XI - as well as Lyndon James, LPW and Freddie McCann both came through the Notts academy.
Thanks for putting me right about this - something of a breakthrough for Notts to field THREE home-grown players. I had got it into my muddled head that McCann is Australian,
Sorry, I'm cynical on the subject - just how bad does a Harmer-helping Essex pitch have to be for them to be sent to the naughty step?!
And back to the Notts game, I forgot the contributions of Thomas, Pretorius, Overton and Lammonby, so pretty much all the team contributed. Leach, too, looked good, though I'm not convinced he's a number 8 bat.
Here's hoping that Overton is okay - he looked unwilling to throw the ball in from the boundary at one point - and that Gregory is fit too for the next game, which bolsters the batting and bowling.
His place in the opening match was taken by all rounder Noah Thain.
Grizzers
Quote:sfwithers
It'll be applied to Somerset only!
Sorry, I'm cynical on the subject - just how bad does a Harmer-helping Essex pitch have to be for them to be sent to the naughty step?!
And back to the Notts game, I forgot the contributions of Thomas, Pretorius, Overton and Lammonby, so pretty much all the team contributed. Leach, too, looked good, though I'm not convinced he's a number 8 bat.
Here's hoping that Overton is okay - he looked unwilling to throw the ball in from the boundary at one point - and that Gregory is fit too for the next game, which bolsters the batting and bowling.
What pitches are these? Check the records and facts before casting aspersions.