Ton-up Byrom and Overton boost Somerset with stand of 127 at Lord’s

EDDIE Byrom fired Somerset into a positive position in the Bob Willis Trophy final with an impressive 117 at Lord’s.

Byrom blunted the Essex bowling attack on a flattening wicket with his third first-class hundred, and his first against county opposition.

The Zimbabwean put on a sixthwicket stand of 127 with Craig Overton (66) but Essex hit back with the second new ball as Somerset were bowled out for 301 and Sam Cook (5-76) celebrated a fivewicket haul.

Byrom had returned overnight on 51, already his highest score of the season, but it was Steven Davies who did the bulk of the early run scoring.

The wicketkeeper twice edged to the third man boundary, before performing a picture-perfect cover drive off Jamie Porter.

Davies was the only wicket to fall before lunch on the second day when he was caught behind dangling his bat outside his off-stump.

That partnership had been worth 45, Somerset’s highest fifth-wicket stand in the Bob Willis Trophy, and a sixth-wicket best was to follow between Byrom and new partner Overton.

Byrom, who has an Irish passport, previously had a county best of 56, and season-high of 30 but would have impressed the watching Graham Gooch, regardless of his allegiances.

His only other first-class centuries had come against Cardiff MCCU and for Raising Stars, against Bulawayo Metropolitan Tuskers, but he never looked ill at ease during his maiden appearance at Lord’s. He took a particular shine to the competition’s leading wicket-taker Simon Harmer, striking him for back-to-back pulled and swept boundaries when the off-spinner was introduced in the 16th over of the day.

Byrom’s 15th boundary was his best, and most memorable, though, as he on-drove Cook to reach three figures, off 181 balls – he is the sixth Somerset player to reach a hundred this season.

While Byrom had been accumulating his way to a milestone, so was Overton.

The all-rounder had survived two lbw appeals, from Aaron Beard and Harmer, and regularly edged to the third man boundary.

Overton’s half-century was brought up in 85 balls with a single to fine leg, while the 100 partnership with Byrom was also ticked off.

The players were replaced by covers at 1.50pm, but after 35 overs had been lost play continued.

After six non-event overs, the new ball was taken and Porter struck almost immediately – when Overton was lbw to one which eased into the pads. Cook ended Byrom’s vigil in the next over before quickly dismissing Lewis Gregory, both lbw.