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My First Somerset Century: Brian Rose
Some of the finest players ever to have graced the game have taken to the field for Somerset County Cricket Club over the years.
These players have created some of the most memorable moments in the history of our great Club.
Over the next few weeks we will be taking a closer look at some of Somerset’s most famous batters, with special focus falling on their first century for the Club.
Today we focus on a player who would go on to become Somerset’s most successful captain of all time.
Brian Rose made his Somerset First XI debut in 1969 and would go on to make 251 First Class appearances for the Club, scoring 12,342 runs at an average of 33.26 with a best of 205. He also scored 5708 List A runs with a best of 137 not out at an average of 27.98.
In total Brian Rose scored 26 hundreds for the County, the first of which came in August 1972.
After a two year hiatus, Brian returned to the Somerset First XI in 1972, and as the team prepared to take on Kent at Morlands Athletic Ground in Glastonbury, he was determined to make the most of his re-call.
Kent Captain, Mike Denness won the toss and elected to bat first.
Brian Luckhurst made 142 as the visitors reached 351 for five before declaring, and by the end of the opening day Somerset were 10 for one in reply.
On day two, Merv Kitchen (69) and Derek Taylor (43) took Somerset to three figures before Rose made his way to the middle with the hosts 251 runs in arrears.
He produced a fine individual performance which saw him demonstrate the flowing style that Somerset Members and supporters would become accustomed to.
He amassed a fine 125 as Somerset declared on 345 for six.
The home side then claimed three quick wickets to leave the visitors of 18 for three by the close of the second day.
On the third and final day, Alan Ealham and Colin Cowdrey made hundreds as their side declared on 234 in their second innings.
Set a victory target of 241, Somerset reached 154 for seven as the match ended in a draw.
Although the match finished in a stalemate, it was a first glimpse of the true class of a player who would go on to become one of our best and the captain of our Glory Years sides.
