Grant a Thorn in hosts’ side as Bears earn draw
MARCUS Trescothick had another day to remember as the rain-ruined Specsavers County Championship match between Somerset and Warwickshire at Taunton ended in a draw.
Having passed 25,000 first class runs the previous day, the 41-yearold former England opener moved to his 50th first class century for Somerset, making 106 in their otherwise disappointing first innings total of 230.
Trescothick then calmed any dressing room nerves when Somerset followed on and finished unbeaten on 46 as they closed on 86 for one. Skipper Tom Abell was undefeated on 35.
It was also a memorable day for Warwickshire seamer Grant Thornton, who marked his Championship debut with four for 34 in the home side’s first innings.
Somerset had begun the final day on 94 for four in reply to Warwickshire’s 413. Trescothick reached a half-century with a boundary to midwicket off Jeetan Patel in the second over of the morning.
Together with Jack Leach, he took the total onto 127 when the nightwatchman fell lbw to Rikki Clarke for 16. Trescothick was joined by Pete Trego and the pair stayed together until lunch, by which time the score had moved onto 178 without further loss.
Resuming on 89 after the break, Trescothick edged his way into the 90s before eventually going to his century with a single to mid-wicket off Thornton.
The crowd stood to mark Trescothick’s record-breaking ton, which came off 180 balls, with 11 fours.
Trego had moved onto 34 when he looked to have been caught by Jonathan Trott at first slip off Thornton.
The Warwickshire fielders celebrated, but the batsmen stood his ground and was given not out after umpire Alex Wharf consulted his square leg colleague Paul Baldwin.
In Thornton’s next over he had Trescothick caught behind by Tim Ambrose trying to drive a wider ball. With his next delivery the 24-yearold accounted for Roelof van der Merwe with a yorker.
Wickets tumbled quickly. Trego remained at the crease and went to his half-century, but the bowler got his revenge two balls later as Somerset were all out for a dismal 230.
The pick of the Warwickshire bowlers was debutant Thornton whose excellent figures came from 12.2 overs. Clarke took three for 29.
Following on 183 runs behind, Somerset were soon in trouble a again as Sunny Singh had Dean Elgar caught at short mid wicket by Ian Bell with just one run on the board.
Abell joined Trescothick and the two started to take their side towards safety. Trescothick took a boundary off Patel to see up the 50. In the gathering gloom the Somerset pair saw the score onto 86 off 25.1 overs when the players shook hands and the game ended in a draw. Warwickshire took 12 points and Somerset eight.
Warwickshire captain Bell said: “I thought we put in a good performance and the weather gotot in the way of what would have ve been a very good win for us.
“I am really pleased with our performance and the new guys who came in have started to look like they can play.
“At the back end of our 50-over campaign we put in a couple of performancess that got us a little bit of momenentum and we have carried thathat on nicely.”