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My First Somerset Five-For: Andy Caddick
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 bowlers, with special focus falling on their first five-wicket haul for the Club.
Andy Caddick is one of the best bowlers ever to have worn a Somerset Shirt.
During his career with the Club he featured in more than 400 matches across the three formats of the game, claiming 875 First Class wickets, 254 List A wickets and 15 T20 wickets.
In First Class cricket he claimed 10 wickets in a match 16 times and took five wickets on no fewer than 63 occasions.
Today we look back on his first five-for Somerset.
1992 was the year that Queen Elizabeth II described as an Annus Horribilis following a number of Royal scandals. However, Somerset Members and supporters were were enjoying a happier year than the Royal Family as they witnessed the emergence of a tall fast bowler from New Zealand.
Born in Christchurch to English parents, Andy Caddick first came to the attention of Somerset CCC whilst playing for Hampstead in 1988. After a handful of appearances for the Middlesex Second XI, his Somerset Second XI debut came against Surrey in 1989. He made an immediate impact, claiming eight wickets in the Surrey first innings.
After serving his qualification period, ‘Caddy’ began his maiden First Class season with the Club in 1992 and he only had to wait until May to claim his first five-wicket haul.
Pakistan were the visitors to Taunton for a three-day tourist match with a star-studded side that included Wasim Akram, Rameez Raja, Javed Miandad, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mushtaq Ahmed.
Somerset Captain, Richard Harden won the toss and elected to bat first. The skipper made 40 whilst Neil Burns added 44 not out but the hosts were dismissed for 163.
By the end of the first day the tourists were in control having reached 153 for three.
However, Caddick kept Somerset in the match by dismissing Shoaib Mohammad, Javed Miandad, Saleem Malik, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Wasim Akram and Aaqib Javed to finish with six for 73 from 20.2 overs.
Unfortunately for the hosts, Mushtaq Ahmed claimed five for 46 as Somerset were dismissed for 169 in their second innings.
Despite three quick wickets for Andre van Troost, the tourists reached their victory target for the loss of just five wickets inside 19 overs.
However, Andy Caddick had made his mark and it wouldn’t be the last time that the Somerset faithful saw him and Mushtaq Ahmed taking lots of wickets at Taunton!
