At the start of a day brimming with optimism, this felt like a Willy Wonka Golden ticket in my hand. A chance to see something really special unfold.
It felt like Fate that Somerset had to beat the Champions in their own backyard to seal the County Championship. A fitting last effort.
The morning was frustrating despite the glorious sunshine that made Durham Castle dazzle in the background. Willoughby bowled with hostility and beat the bat but it was Di Venuto’s hundred that saw a crucial Durham lead steadily climb while the overs counted down. Meanwhile, Somerset fans behind me kept Peter Trego informed of Yorkshire wickets falling at Headingley, the allrounder rewarding each piece of good news with a merry jig. He had plenty of chance to dance as it turned out with Yorkshire nosediving to James Tredwell’s spin. With only 90 to defend, Yorkshire were out of the title hunt.
That meant Nottinghamshire needed 5 batting points by reaching 400 then three Lancashire wickets to earn that all-important bowling point that would gazump Somerset if both sides drew. Trescothick rotated his bowlers with Philips making way for Thomas who accounted for Ben Harmison. Murali Kartik had a mini spell but Durham dug in. Renewed hope came when Di Venuto and Blackwell fell with Durham on 255. Any hope of a Yorkshire-style collapse was put to bed with injured Dale Benkenstein coming in at 7 and digging in for a 95-ball rearguard. Meanwhile, Borthwick’s 5 from 40 further demonstrated a resilience that was ruining Somerset’s hopes for a win. With a draw ever likely, eyes and ears remained on the Notts game with the 2005 Champions now over 350 but captain Chris Read was out trying to keep the run rate up.
I sometimes get this sense of crushing inevitability. I get it when I watch England underperform in football World Cups or the England team flatter to deceive. It’s that feeling there’s a lot of admirable effort but it’s not quite going to all slot into place. Thanks to the introduction of Pete Trego in the autumn of this match, Somerset bagged two vitals wickets and Durham were finally out for 320. Rasping sunshine had been replaced with ominous clouds and the players had come off several times for (thankfully brief) rain breaks.
The maths were simple enough 181 in 17 overs which in any language is going some. But as my mate in Devon said (with whom I had used up my entire O2 monthly text and minutes quota discussing the permutations), if any team in the country could chase down that score then it was Somerset. I settled in for the fireworks and made a mental note to stop chewing my fingernails as my arms were now bloody stumps.
Trescothick and Kieswetter in a shoot-out against Ruel Braithwaite and….one Ian Blackwell. A shrewd move presumably because Blackie offered control and little pace to work with. The runs came but not enough and not quickly enough. Braithwaite looked rapid and on the money while Blackwell was also miserly. Kieswetter swung and missed and Trescothick hit a few boundaries but five an over off the first 4 was not going to do it. Kieswetter was bowled by Blackwell aiming one over the stand, Trescothick slapped one to mid off and Trego was similarly undone after a big yahoo. All understandable given the required rate but Compton and Buttler knocked it around until the captains both agreed on a draw.
With Notts having snuck to 400 with 9 wkts down, a draw meant waiting on the Old Trafford game for Lancashire to show some Northern grit and not lose 3 wickets.
Sadly, Notts required only 5 overs to do the necessary damage and finish level on points with Somerset at the top of the table. By virtue of having won a game more, Notts were declared County Champions – a sad fact I heard whilst strolling up CHester-le-Street High Street and promptly offered up a hearty expletive.
A stunning end ot the County season nonethless and for Somerset to have lost both the t20 Final (on fewer wickets lost) and County Championship (on fewer victories) felt like a massive kick to the goolies. All the same, on the journey South to Leeds, there was time to reflect. The CB40 Final on Saturday offers a blessed last chance for redemption. Not quite the first four-day gong in over 100 years but a well deserved Cup nonetheless. The only worry is whether the squad can lift themselves so soon
The other positive is the quality of the squad and with Kirby signing and few pace options being bankrolled, Somerset will be in rude health to finally climb their Everest in 2011.
All in all? Absolutely gutted but immensely proud to be from Somerset. Thanks, lads.
* FOR ALL THE DAY’S PHOTOS, VISIT: http://www.photobox.co.uk/slideshow?album_id=489171235
