Somerset edge home in battle of low scorers
Somerset 184 & 180 beat Durham 189 & 136 by 39 runs
ROELOF van der Merwe believes Somerset have begun to build the momentum that will end their 11-year wait for a piece of silverware.
Although four-day captain Chris Rogers reckons the squad could be two summers, at least, away from winning one of English cricket's three domestic competitions, Van der Merwe is not so sure.
Having played a leading role in a remarkable County Championship victory over Durham at Taunton and been an integral part of the one-day team that has secured qualification for the One-Day Cup quarter-finals, the 31-year-old Dutch international is confident Somerset can lose the tag of being cricket’s perennial under-achievers.
The key to Van der Merwe’s optimism is the manner in which coach Matthew Maynard’s side have battled against the odds in the four-day and 50-over formats.
The next challenge is the quarter-final of the One-Day Cup against Worcestershire at Taunton next Wednesday.
“Yes, it’s a different format to four-day cricket, but having beaten Durham in the Championship as we did, we will certainly go into the game with a positive mind-set,” said Van der Merwe.
“I think if you get into a mode where you win games, switching to another format is a lot easier.
“Beating Durham was vital. It has given us confidence. We now go into the quarter-final with a fantastic win behind us and plenty of belief in our ability.
“We spoke about that and the importance of winning. To have done it in the spirit and the manner that we did will hold us in good stead when it comes to the Worcestershire game.”
Victory against Durham was made even more remarkable by the fact that the game was over just 17 minutes into day three.
Having set their opponents a target of 175 in just over seven sessions, Somerset took their final five second-innings wickets in just 22 balls to win the game by 39 runs.
Van der Merwe said: “It was hugely satisfying. I am not sure how many people thought it was possible, but we kept believing. Things went our way and we got there.”
The experienced all-rounder has had a mixed season with bat and ball. He sits uncomfortably at the bottom of the county’s four-day batting averages, and averages only 21 in the One-Day Cup.
However, he finished top of the Somerset batting list in the T20 Blast and is handily placed in the bowling averages in both the Championship and 50-over competitions with his left-arm spin.
Pressure to perform against Worcestershire will be even greater in the absence of the injured Johann Myburgh. But there are no shrinking violets in this Somerset side and Van der Merwe is hoping that collective spirit will pay dividends.
He said: “You want to win trophies. That’s why everyone plays the game.Yes, we are a young side and as Chris (Rogers) said, we still have a lot to learn as a team and as individuals. However, we have a chance and you just never know.”
Van der Merwe’s eight-wicket haul against Durham and his valuable 47 in the second innings should help.
He admitted: “I have been a bit under pressure with the bat. I hadn’t scored any red-ball runs this season, so to contribute like that certainly gives me some confidence.”
Maynard was once again overjoyed by his side’s battling spirit with bat and ball.
“We have been down and out in a number of games this season and have gone on to win them,” he said.
“We know only too well how difficult a task it is going to be when we come up against Worcestershire, but we will be ready to battle once more.”