Extraordinary and historic win for Somerset in County Championship

Somerset lifted themselves into second place in the County Championship when they pulled off a remarkable five-wicket victory over Warwickshire at Taunton late on Wednesday afternoon, writes Richard Walsh.

It was one of those ‘I was there moments’ for loyal Cidermen fans, who will talk about the victory for many years to come as their team chased down 410, the second highest total in the club’s history, and it was two local boys who were at the wicket to see them home.

The victory was made the sweeter because of the disappointing batting performance by Somerset in the first innings, when they were all out for 284 in response to the visitors total of 412.

By the close of day three, batting for a second time, Warwickshire made 281 for eight, which they declared on overnight, leaving the hosts all day to score 410.

At the start of the day, all four results were possible, but as Somerset’s batters started to set about their task, it became clear that they believed that they could achieve what some had thought was beyond them.

As the day unfolded and they crept ever closer to achieving what earlier in the game had seemed an unlikely victory, they started to control proceedings until, with a handful of the 16 overs that had to be bowled in the last session, they achieved their goal, and keep their hopes of lifting the Championship title for the first time very much alive.

All of the Somerset batters played their part but it was Tom Abell who led the way.

Abell walked out to bat in the 19th over when his side were 77 for two. The former skipper and Tom Kohler-Cadmore saw Somerset through to 117 by lunch and shared a partnership of 67 before the latter was out for 49.

Tom Banton then joined Abell and by tea, the pair had taken Somerset on to 230, still needing 180 for victory.

During his innings of 81 off 109 balls, which included nine fours and two sixes, Banton once again demonstrated how he has developed himself into a very capable red ball batter.

Banton added 138 for the fourth wicket in 32 overs with Abell and when he departed, Migael Pretorius came in for a brief innings of 14 before he was out, which left Somerset still needing 111 for victory.

James Rew then joined Abell and it was the two local boys who remained in the middle, much to the delight of the crowd, to see Somerset to a memorable and what could well be a pivotal victory in this year’s Championship challenge.

Abell ended unbeaten on 152, a career best, which he scored off 207 balls with 14 fours and two sixes, while Rew remained not out 57 off 54 deliveries with seven fours and a six.

Somerset take 20 points from the match, which sees them in second place in the table, 23 behind leaders Surrey who they host at Taunton in September.

The Cidermen now take a seven-week break from red ball cricket and resume their challenge for the Holy Grail on August 29 against Durham at Taunton.

After beating his previous highest first class score by one run, Somerset match-winner Tom Abell said: “It is up there with the best I have ever played. I have made runs on more difficult pitches, but to get a hundred in such a demanding run chase and help us win the game is an incredible feeling, writes  Richard Latham for ECB Reporters Network.

“Andy Umeed and Tom Kohler-Cadmore played important roles in getting us off to a positive start. From then on, it was about putting partnerships together and that was what Tom Banton and myself were concentrating on.

“James Rew played a great innings at the end and it is wonderful to win a game in which we were under pressure for so long. It was a great batting pitch and we fancied our chances, but Warwickshire have one of the best attacks in the country, so to make over 400 on the last day against them is very satisfying.”