Coxless Four - Bath Defeat

A Man Apart
By Grockle
June 7 2003

160 magnificent runs from Jamie Cox couldn't save Somerset from defeat on the fourth day. Once he was out the next four batsmen managed to add just 12. Worcestershire passed our second innings total in just 7 overs at about 10 an over. Man of the Match at the Second Test? Richard Johnson!

v WORCESTERSHIRE CC2 @ Bath June 7 2003

DAY ONE

DAY TWO

DAY THREE

DAY FOUR

SCORECARD

Well one man nearly proved us wrong although the rest of the team lived up to expectations with the notable exception of the captain Mike Burns.  With a massive innings of 160 from Jamie Cox, we were clinging onto this match for a little time.   We had even gone into the lead.  But the moment he had gone, the weak backbone of the batting lineup crumpled and in the end all the defiance was for nothing as the top three of the Black Pears put on the necessary 68 in just 7 overs.  None of them looked in trouble and all of them took less than a run a ball to get the needed runs - where was the minefield of a pitch that we had experienced when you needed it eh?

Jamie Cox with Burns put on 179 for the 4th wicket, 35 for the fifth with Blackwell, 52 for the sixth with Rob Turner and was finally 7th man down LBW to Hall (allowed this time Buzz!) for 160 off 265 balls with 26 boundaries.  At 356 for 7 we had the chance of putting on a three figure total for them to chase.  The two Keiths were in and Francis and McLean were capable of a couple of 20's possibly.  KP went immediately after his Aussie team mate with no addition to the score.  Dutch made 1 while we added a mere 9 before he was caught by Hick off Batty and Francis followed 4 minutes later to the same bowler.  They added 12 and we didn't have enough runs for the time left.

Worcestershire came out in a hurry.  Simon Francis opened with Ian Blackwell because of Nixon's injury and went for 40 in 4 overs, but at least he took Singh out..   Blacky was treated no more respect and went for 28 off his 3.1 and the game was over.  Victory by 9 wickets - good fight but no strength in depth to back up the individual performances.  Tomorrow's side will be interesting - wonder if they'll ask Johnno to come back to play?

Somerset Man of the Match - Jamie Cox