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My First Somerset Century: Ian Botham
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 became one of the biggest names in the history of the game; an all rounder affectionately known as ‘Beefy’.
Ian Botham made his Somerset debut as a teenager in 1974 and went on to become one of the best in the sport.
Between 1974 and 1986 he represented Somerset in 172 First Class matches, scoring 8686 runs at an average 36.04 with a top score of 228. He also claimed 489 wickets with a best seven for 61.
He was equally impressive in List A cricket. In his 230 one-day matches for the Club he scored 5049 runs at an average of 30.41 with a best of 175 not out. With the ball he claimed 300 wickets with best figures of four for 10.
Lord Botham scored 20 hundreds for Somerset, the first of those coming at Trent Bridge in 1976.
The country was in the middle of a heatwave as Somerset arrived in Nottingham at the end of July, and ‘Beefy’ was about to turn up the heat a few notches more!
Nottinghamshire Captain, Mike Smedley won the toss and elected to bat, but Botham and David Gurr reduced the home side to 34 for two.
However, Derek Randell made a superb 204 not out as the hosts reached 364 for four from their allotted 100 first innings overs. By the close of the opening day, the scoreboard was showing Somerset on 52 for one in reply.
On the morning of the second day, Brian Rose was forced to retire ill and the visitors slipped to 59 for two. However, Botham (80) and Phil Slocombe (90) ensured that Somerset remained in the contest by reaching 304 for eight at the close of their first innings.
By the end of day two, Notts were 107 for four, a lead of 167.
On the third day, Mike Harris made 79 as the home side declared on 240 for nine, setting Somerset a victory total of 301. During the innings, Botham claimed a landmark 50th County Championship wicket of the season when his dismissed Clive Rice.
Somerset’s first three second innings wickets fell for just 51 runs and the odds were clearly stacked in Nottinghamshire’s favour. However, Botham was about to play one of the finest knocks of his career.
He smashed an astonishing 167 not out as Somerset reached their target in the 65th over to win an incredible match by six wickets.
It was a stunning performance, and one which properly announced Ian Botham to the cricketing world.
He was to go on to make headlines on both the back pages and front pages for years to come, and is without a doubt one of the greatest players that this Club, and indeed England, has ever produced.
