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Somerset v Australia: A Brief History – Part Four: The 70s
With the third Ashes Test set to get underway next week, lets look back on matches between Somerset and England’s old enemy.
The history of encounters between England and Australia and how the famous urn came into being are well documented, but the history of matches between Somerset and The Baggy Greens is less well known.
Let’s take a look back through the archives and look at some of the fixtures played between the two sides.
1972
The five-match Ashes series eventually ended in a two-two draw and the score was level at one-all when Australia arrived in Bath in July 1972.
England had won the opening match at Old Trafford before Australia leveled the series at Lord’s.
Somerset skipper, Brian Close won the toss and elected to bat first but his side were dismissed for 169. Ashley Mallett (five for 59) was the pick of the Australian attack. By the close of the opening day, the tourists were 62 for two in reply.
Australia eventually declared on 171 for four, Greg Chappell top scored with 45 not out.
Batting for a second time, Somerset declared on 160 for seven, Close top scoring with 59.
By the end of the third and final day, Australia had reached 130 for four as the game ended in a draw.
1975
After finishing as runners up to the West Indies in the 1975 World Cup, Australia remained on these shores for the Ashes series. They managed to soften the blow of World Cup defeat by beating England one-nil in the four-match series.
Once again, Somerset met the tourists after the second Ashes Test but this time Australia secured a comprehensive victory by nine wickets.
Chappell won the toss and elected to bat first. His side had reached 331 for seven when the declaration arrived. Doug Walters top scored with 103 before he was bowled by Hallam Moseley.
The hosts were then blown away by the Australian attack as Somerset were all out for just 106 in the 31st over. The team from Taunton fared rather better after the follow on was enforced, making 281 thanks to half centuries from Close and Brian Rose.
Gary Gilmour made 51 not out from just 37 deliveries as the Baggy Greens reached their required total for the loss of just one wicket.
1977
1977 saw England regain the Ashes and also saw Somerset beat Australia for the first time!
Before the Test series began the tourists played a number of warm up matches against the English First Class Counties, and they faced Somerset at Bath in May.
It was a match that saw a bowler by the name of Joel Garner make his First Class debut for Somerset. He would go on to make quite an impact in this fixture and for the Club as a whole over the next few years.
Back home, Australian cricket was in turmoil as Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket League was coming to fruition, and the poor weather in England also hampered their preparation. However, the team were determined to once again retain the urn.
Chappell won the toss, elected to bat and made a fine century. However, debutant Garner took four for 66 and Graham Burgess claimed five for 25 as the tourists were dismissed for just 232 with only five batters reaching double figures. By the close of the opening day, the Somerset reply had reached 130 for three.
On day two, Brian Rose completed his century and would remain unbeaten 110 whilst there were half centuries for Ian Botham (59) and Phil Slocombe (56*) as the hosts declared on 340 for five to secure a sizable first innings lead.
Botham then took charge, as would do in the future against Australia for England. With the ball, he claimed four for 98 as Australia were dismissed for 289 despite 108 from David Hookes. He then smashed 39 not out, ably assisted by Viv Richards (53), as somerset reached the victory target to secure a historic win by seven wickets.
Somerset fans like to say that their side softened up the tourists and England took advantage of that, winning the series and reclaiming the urn.
