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My First Somerset Century: James Hildreth
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 shine the spotlight on the first of James Hildreth’s 54 hundreds for Somerset.
‘Hildy’ is third on the Club’s all time First Class run scorer list with 17,237 runs, which included 45 centuries. He amassed more than 6000 runs in List A cricket, scoring eight hundreds, and is Somerset’s all time leading run scorer in T20 cricket.
James made his Somerset debut in 2003 and he went on to play a leading role in the Club’s Twenty20 Cup success in 2005 and also in the Royal London Cup victory in 2019.
“Back in 2003 the Club was in an interesting place,” he explained when we spoke to him earlier this week. “We were coming off the back of success in the C&G Trophy in 2001 but we weren’t doing particularly well in four-day cricket. I’d come into the side and done okay in some one-day games and I felt quite settled. I didn’t feel particularly phased by the occasions and I really enjoyed going into games with a fearless attitude.
“I made my four-day debut at the end of the 2003 season and got bowled twice by Dominic Cork, so it wasn’t memorable in terms of my performance but it was definitely memorable for Ian Blackwell’s 247! It was a great experience because I hadn’t played much multi-day cricket at that stage.”
His first 100 came in his second First Class match in May 2004. Durham were the visitors to Taunton for a County Championship Second Division match. What does James remember about the build up to that match?
“There was loads of chat about the fact that Shoaib Akhtar was playing for them because he bowled rapid and took loads of wickets. I was about 19, I’d just finished school and I just remember thinking that it would be quite cool to face the fastest bowler in the world. I just fancied seeing what it was like. No one really expected me to get runs and I’d only been called up quite late due to an injury to John Francis, so I didn’t really have anything to lose. I was just excited to see what it would be like.”
Somerset Captain, Jamie Cox won the toss and elected to bat first. However, the home side slipped to 52 for three.
Despite the presence of the fearsome Shoaib Akhtar, the young Hildreth took everything in his stride as he added 170 for the fourth wicket with his captain. Hildreth made 101 of those runs and his innings came from just 113 balls and included 13 fours and two sixes.
How important was it for James that Jamie Cox was at the other end?
“He was already a legend by that time,” James said. “To have him at the other end was great. He was a calming influence and talked me through it. He made me feel comfortable and I had a huge amount of respect for him. It definitely helped to have him out there.
“When I reached 50 it felt so surreal. Raising my bat was an odd feeling. The whole crowd was clapping and there were so many emotions. I was thinking ‘wow, I’ve just scored a 50 for Somerset in a professional game! Is this actually happening?’
“It was a lovely feeling and I guess it was justification for all the hard work that had gone in over the years. As the innings went on I was definitely aware that I was getting close to 100. I was never really a nervous 90s player. I was thinking that if the ball was there to be hit I would just whack it. The closer I got, the more excited I was. I kept thinking ‘am I going to get a hundred for Somerset? This is crazy!’
“I think the shot I played to reach the hundred was a terrible mis-hit cut shot. Then it sank in and I couldn’t believe it. Shoaib Akhtar then came down and said ‘well played’, and the whole thing was amazing.
“It’s still one of my best memories. That feeling you get when you reach three figures is just pure elation.”
It was a first real glimpse of his undoubted talent and helped his side to 375. There were also half centuries for Cox (66), Keith Parsons (55) and Keith Dutch, whose 72 at the tail end of the innings gave the home side some impetus.
In reply, Durham were blown away by Richard Johnson who claimed seven for 69 to dismiss the visitors for 235.
Batting for a second time, Somerset declared on 310 for five. Hildreth (72) and Cox again took the attack to the Durham bowlers, adding 140 for the fourth wicket. Cox was the centurion on this occasion as he made 124.
Chasing 451 to win, Durham slipped to 95 for five but Gareth Breese made a remarkable 165 not out, and despite five wickets for Andy Caddick, the visitors claimed a dramatic victory by just one wicket.
Although the match ultimately ended in defeat, James Hildreth had scored 173 runs across two innings and had written the first chapter of what was to become his Somerset legend.
Looking back at that match James said: “I was buzzing that I’d scored a hundred but I was really disappointed that we lost the game. I don’t feel like they should have chased that down. I remember being on the boundary and Gareth Breese hit one out to me and I misfielded it and it went for four. It wasn’t the winning runs but I was so annoyed that I let that one through.
“I guess that’s cricket though. You get the amazing feel of getting a hundred and then 70-odd but also the disappointment of missing one on the boundary. It’s definitely a game that gives you mixed emotions.”
