County Fever! The Championship heads to a thrilling climax?
JAMES Hildreth was unduly modest about the extraordinary century that carved him a niche in Somerset folklore by keeping his county in the hunt for a first Championship title .
It helped set up a 325-run victory which put them on top of the table with just one day to go and meant only a positive result at Lord’s today between Middlesex and Yorkshire could deprive them of the title.
Home supporters at Taunton can look forward to years of recounting the day one of their heroes hit a ton on one leg against Nottinghamshire.
When Hildreth walked out to join Chris Rogers, Somerset were 33-2 and a long way from the 350 skipper Rogers had demanded as the minimum to put pressure on Middlesex and Yorkshire.
Things looked even gloomier for the hosts when, having made only seven, Hildreth was struck a sickening blow on his right ankle bone by a full Jake Ball delivery.
As the effects of what turned out to be a fracture became apparent, the 32-year-old had to summon a runner. Watching him hobble slowly between the crease and square leg made painful viewing.
Unable to play any sweeps against the spinners, Hildreth found pull shots particularly agonising and often leaned on his bat for support.
Incredibly, he went on to score a brilliant 135 off 234 balls, with 17 fours and a six, sharing a stand of 269 with Rogers – a Somerset third wicket record against Notts – with the captain contributing 132.
Soon after he was out, Somerset tweeted a photograph of Hildreth’s ankle, which showed it black with bruising, which stretched up the inside of his leg.
Next day a fracture was revealed. For all that, Hildreth was in no mood to accept hero status.
He said: “The injury happened early on and it was sore, but with a few painkillers I was able to crack on. I actually quite liked playing my shots and letting someone else do the running. Although I was struggling to get about the crease, it was enjoyable in a way.
“Tom Abell is quite quick so it was fortunate for me in a way that he was available to be my runner.”
Hildreth was even in joking mood: “There are a lot of coaching manuals and theories about batting, but I think I have now found the answer – the best way to make runs is if you don’t move your feet at all!”
Almost as amazing as Hildreth’s effort was the Somerset collapse, which followed. They lost five wickets for no runs at the end of day one, impressive Notts seamer Ball ending it with 6-47.
That didn’t amuse Rogers, who said: “To lose seven wickets for 20 from the position we were in was unforgiveable. There were some words spoken in the dressing room at the end of the day.”
Day two belonged to Somerset off-spinner Dom Bess, 19, who hit a crucial 41 to secure a fourth batting point as his side progressed from an overnight 322-9 to 365 all out.
Then Bess claimed 5-43 as Notts were shot out for 138. He had taken eight on debut in the competition against Warwickshire.
Devonian Bess said: “The last couple of weeks have been a dream.To suddenly be involved in a side going for the Championship title has been incredible.”
With a 227 lead, Somerset batted again, expecting the pitch to turn even more in the final innings. They declared at lunch with a 540-run advantage, Rogers having completed his second ton of the match and 76th of his career in first-class cricket.
Spin did prove decisive as Notts were out for 215 with Jack Leach taking 4-69 and Roelof van der Merwe 3-59 despite Billy Root’s dashing unbeaten 66.