Tom Lammonby hundred adds finishing touch to another fine day for Somerset

SAM DALLING: Few would bet against them going all the way in this tournament. Certainly, they’re among the favourites. Today was a day for two Toms: Abell and Lammonby

Somerset and Gloucestershire haven’t traded blows in red-ball cricket for 13 years, and with local pride on the line the hosts came into this Bob Willis Trophy clash wary of their rivals.

By close of play on the second day, however, Somerset are well and truly in the driving seat, albeit after a scare on the first morning of the game.

They often say the mark of a championship-worthy team is emerging victorious when not at one’s best. And make no mistake about it, Somerset are a side assembled to challenge for honours.

Few would bet against them going all the way in this tournament. Certainly, they’re among the favourites. Today was a day for two Toms: Abell and Lammomby.

Both batted beautifully and their unbroken 211-run stand ended in perfect symmetry: 101 unbeaten runs apiece when the declaration came, the hosts leading by 385 runs. Abell was imperious while Lammoby was equally impressive.

Quite a day for the youngster; a maiden first class hundred to go with a first wicket in red-ball cricket this morning.

Having batted cautiously after tea, the left-hander upped the ante at just the right time, racing from 50 to 100 in just 39 deliveries. It’s a day that will live long in the memory.

But Somerset’s real strength lies in their bowling department. That’s not to diminish their top-order. It’s just their four-pronged pace attack have performed on another level.

^{Somerset are in charge of their game against Gloucestershire}

131; 166; 67; 154; 121; 140; 76.

Those represent the opposition tallies in each of the Somerset’s seven innings in the field to date in the Bob Willis Trophy: 68 wickets captured and under 13 runs conceded for each. With Gloucestershire ending the day 14 for 3, that average is heading only one way.

The Overton brothers have acted as spearheads this season. Original superlatives are hard to find for Craig these days. Bash his name into a search engine and you’ll find what you need. Eat; sleep; bowl; repeat.

Brother Jamie too is firing on all cylinders. Any doubts that the soon-to-be Surrey man might give less than 110 per cent – there were none by the way – have been well and truly banished.

He may find himself in hot water after today though. He wasn’t happy about George Hankins’ decision not to walk when he believed the batsman to have edged a delivery in the 25th over.

Bob Willis Trophy Digest: All the action from the second day of the fourth round of fixtures

The next couple of deliveries were short, quick and directed at the batsman. Before the over was out, he had his man, caught by his brother at second slip. The send-off was unsurprisingly vocal.

But while the twins offer that sprinkle of stardust, the real strength in their depth as a bowling unit. In Jack Brooks, they have a seasoned campaigner. He’s been there, done that and got the t-shirt. Twice in fact, winning back to back titles with Yorkshire in 2014 and 2015.

Little doubt he will be dining out for a while on an absolute ripper that saw off the impressive Tom Lace for 21. Somerset’s media team are leading live-streaming into a bold new world and their newly-installed slow motion replay camera captured the ball kissing the surface, coming back and careering into Lace’s off-stump.

However, the unsung hero of this attack is Josh Davey. Between his debut in 2010 and the end of the 2017 season, he took just 25 first-class wickets. But something has clicked and over the course of the past two years, he now has 69 to his name.

^{Tom Lammonby struck his maiden first-class hundred}

Trusted with the new ball, the 30-year old has become one of the first names on the teamsheet. Not blessed with express pace, Davey bowls a nagging line and length while doing a bit in the air. His action is both watchable and, crucially, repeatable.

With 50 international caps to his name for Scotland he has good pedigree too, and finished the 2015 World Cup level with Mitchell Johnson and Tim Southee on 15 victims each. Not bad company.

He started life as a batsman with Middlesex but following his release at the end of the 2013 season, spent a year plying his trade for Suffolk. Then came his shot at Somerset; a winter trial turned into a summer deal and then a full contract.

Even then, it took him a couple of years to make his mark, but he’s now settled in Taunton. Practice makes perfect and all that.

Remember too those not available this week; off-spinner Dom Bess is in test action while Lewis Gregory, who helped himself to 59 first-class wickets at 15 in 2019, is preparing for England’s T20 series against Pakistan.

Frustratingly for Somerset, Jack Leach isn’t around either. How many overs he’d have got through is debatable but would it have hurt the ECB to give him the chance to play at least some meaningful cricket this summer?

In his absence, though, Somerset are closing in on another win. Davey brought the day to a premature close with a wicket off the first ball of the last over of the day. They are well placed – unless the heavens intervene again. Lightning can’t strike twice in a week though, can it?

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