Byrom stars as Somerset storm ahead
IF John Cleese had his way, Eddie Byrom might not have been playing in the Bob Willis Trophy final, let alone propelling Somerset towards a position from which they can dream about winning an elusive maiden first-class title.
Life-long Somerset fan Cleese reacted with fury on Twitter last week when he discovered Tom Banton was putting the Indian Premier League before what he described as the biggest match in his beloved county’s history.
But if Kolkata’s Banton, or the injured James Hildreth, had been available to face Essex in this inaugural first- class cup final, Byrom might have been carrying drinks rather than playing the innings of his life here yesterday.
Nothing the 23- year- old Zimbabwean had previously done, at least in red-ball cricket, hinted at his domination of the Essex attack and the quality of his 117 on another rain-affected day in this autumnal showpiece final.
Certainly not a first-class record that had seen his only other two centuries come against Cardiff MCC University and the Bulawayo Metropolitan Tuskers.
But from the moment Byrom launched a counter-attack with Somerset in trouble on the first day, the left-hander has looked a class act and he went on to a fine century yesterday before Essex gave themselves hope with a second-new-ball burst.
‘I’m very proud,’ said Byrom, whose only other visit to Lord’s was to watch Somerset win last year’s Royal London Cup as a spectator. ‘I’ve been struggling for form and to do this in a massive game at such a special place makes it all the more satisfying.’
Somerset reached an above-par 301 all out. It would have been worse for Essex had Sam Cook not taken five wickets with his lively medium pace, as Somerset lost their last five for 35.
Sir Alastair Cook and Nick Browne were saved from facing three overs by the close because of bad light, even though the best floodlights in the country shone down brightly on Lord’s. But Somerset, with Byrom adding 127 for the sixth wicket with Craig Overton, are in the box seat with three days left and a better forecast over the weekend for St John’s Wood.
Byrom put down an early marker by hitting Essex spinner Simon Harmer for two fours in his first over of day two. By the time he stroked Sam Cook for a classic ondriven boundary to reach three figures, Essex heads were dropping.
It leaves Essex, with the trophy going to the side who make the biggest first-innings score should the final end in a draw, perhaps needing Sir Alastair to make big runs today if they are again going to dash Somerset’s hopes, as they did in last year’s Championship decider at Taunton.