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Somerset v Australia: A brief history – Part One – The pre-war years
With the latest Ashes series set to get underway later this month, we thought we would take a 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.
The 19th Century
The first documented clash between Somerset and Australia took place at what is now the Cooper Associates County Ground in 1882.
The match was scheduled for three days commencing on August 21st in an era when there were only four balls in an over.
Australia Captain, Billy Murdoch, who interestingly played Test cricket for both England and Australia, won the toss and elected to bat.
The tourists made 245 all out from 105 overs. Alexander Bannerman top scored with 50 whilst Arnold Fothergill was the pick of the Somerset attack, claiming three for 47. Alfred Evans also claimed three wickets.
By the close of day one, Somerset had slipped to 85 for six in reply.
On the morning of day two, the home side were dismissed for 96 thanks to nine wickets from Frederick Spofforth. Following on, Somerset were all out for 130 to give Australia a comprehensive victory by an innings and 19 runs. Spofforth claimed another four victims to finish with match figures of 13 for 113.
Australia visited Taunton again 11 years later with the hosts claiming a narrow first innings lead after dismissing the tourists for 107 thanks to six wickets for just 26 runs from Sammy Woods.
However, Somerset were all out for 64 inside 28 overs with Charlie Turner taking seven for 26 to finish with match figures of 11 for 69.
Woods (pictured below) claimed another three wickets but Australia eased to a six-wicket win.
1896 saw Australia once again head to the West Country, but on this occasion the home side were unlucky not to get a result.
Woods won the toss and elected to bat first and by the end of the first day the hosts were 156 for five.
The second day saw Somerset dismissed for 219, Bill Roe top scoring with 46. In reply, Australia were all out for just 129 thanks to six wickets from Ernest Robson.
By the close of the second day, Somerset had extended their lead by reaching 49 for six.
Unfortunately, no play was possible on the third and final day and the game ended as a draw.
Australia visited Somerset again once more before the turn of the century.
Another three-day game took place in August 1899.
Somerset were dismissed for 376 in their first innings thanks to Charles Bernard (a career best 94), Len Braund (pictured below 82) and Woods (68). However, the tourists (main image) surpassed the Somerset total, making 532. Frank Laver top scored with 143 and Joe Darling scored 96.
The third and final day ended with Somerset on 232 for nine as the game ended in a draw. This match saw Somerset bowler, Teddy Tyler claim his 800th First Class wicket.
Early 1900s
Australia once again arrived on these shores in 1902 and a three-day match at Taunton was again on their itinerary.
Woods won the toss and elected to bat and his side made 274. Braund and Henry Martin both making 52. By the close of the opening day, the tourists reply stood at 128 for two.
Day two belonged to Australia’s Reggie Duff who scored a superb 183 as Australia were all out for 348. George Gill was the most successful member of the Somerset attack, taking five for 80.
Batting for a second time, Lionel Palairet (90) helped Somerset to 315 but the game ended in a draw with Australia on 16 for one.
Three years later, the two teams met again but on this occasion it was at the Recreation Ground, Bath. It was a venue that the tourists seemed to enjoy. Batting first, Australia had reached 469 for two by the end of the first day, with Warwick Armstrong unbeaten on 252 and Monty Noble 107 not out.
Armstrong went on to make a remarkable 303 not out as Australia declared on day two with the scoreboard showing 609 for four.
Braund (below) made a century in the Somerset first innings but received little support as his side were all out for 228. The hosts fared better in their second innings with Henry Martyn (130*) and Braund (62) sharing an opening stand of 146.
By the close of day three, the match was declared a draw with Somerset on 254 for four in the second innings.
The two sides met again at the same venue four years later with Australia claiming a two- wicket victory in a low scoring encounter.
After winning the toss, Somerset were dismissed for just 93 inside 33 overs. Bill Whitty took five for 45. Ernest Robson then claimed eight for 35 as Somerset bowled Australia out for 139.
In Somerset’s second innings, Braund was once again top scorer with 51 but again the bowlers were on top as the hosts were all out for 111.
Bill Greswell then had the tourists in a spin, claiming four for 11 from 13 overs to reduce Australia to 61 for eight but they hung on to claim a narrow two-wicket victory on the final day.
The final pre-war meeting between the two sides returned to Taunton in 1912.
Somerset Captain, John Daniell won the toss, but that was as good as it got for the hosts. The home side were blown away for just 59 in their first innings from just 25.5 overs. Roy Minnett (six for 29) and Jimmy Matthews (four for 25) shared the 10 wickets.
The Baggy Green batters struggled too but 49 from Charles Macartney helped his side to 184. Robson was again the pick of the Somerset attack, claiming seven for 94.
Somerset performed rather better with the bat the second time around, scoring 204. However, Edgar Mayne (42*) and Charles Kelleway (34*) knocked off the runs with ease to see Australia to a win by 10 wickets.
