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Somerset v Australia: A Brief History – Part Three: Post War and The 60s
With the second Ashes Test set to get underway later this week, 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.
POST WAR
The Second World War meant that Somerset supporters had to wait from 1938 until 1948 for the return of the Australians.
Despite the long wait, the tourist’s domination of the fixture continued as they secured victory inside two days by the margin of an innings and 374 runs.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Australia slipped to 0 for one when Bill Brown was run out. At 69 for one, Sid Barnes retired ill on 42 but centuries from Lindsay Hassett, Neil Harvey and Ian Johnson plus 99 from Ron Hamence saw the tourists reach the end of day one with the scoreboard showing 560 for five.
Australia declared overnight and then proceeded to bowl their hosts out for 115 and 71 on day two.
The two sides met again at Taunton five years later in a match that saw Somerset secure a draw. It was also the first time that Peter Wight took to the field for Somerset in First Class cricket.
It wasn’t initially a dream debut for Wight who was dismissed for 0 in the first innings. However, he showed his class in the second innings, making 109 not out.
Australia made 486 in their first innings after being put into bat, Hassett top scoring with 148. In reply, Somerset were all out for just 187. Following on, Somerset had reached 156 for two at the close of the third and final day thanks to the first of Wight’s 28 First Class hundreds.
The two sides played out another draw at Taunton in 1956.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Australia declared on 340 for five ahead of the second day. Jim Burke top scored with 138. In reply, Somerset were dismissed for 275, Colin McCool (90), Peter Wight (61) and Harold Stephenson (67) all making half centuries.
Unbeaten second innings hundreds from Burke (125*) and Ian Craig (100*) saw Australia declare on 236 for one. By the close of the third and final day, the hosts had reached 234 for five thanks to another hundred from McCool (116).
THE 60s
Australia’s next visit to Taunton came in 1961.
After winning the toss and batting, the tourists reached 440 for three before the declaration came. Colin McDonald (40) and Brian Booth (127*) doing the majority of the damage.
In reply, Bill Alley made 134 but no other batter reached the 50 mark as the home side were all out for 298.
Australia declared on 202 for four in their second innings and reduced Somerset to seven for two. However, Alley (95) and Brian Roe (71) added 132 for the third wicket to give their side hope. Somerset fell to 201 for nine but Brian Langford and Ken Biddulph dug in and ensured that the game ended in a draw.
1964 saw Beatle Mania sweeping across the USA and also saw Somerset welcome Australia to Taunton once again. It was another match that was dominated by the tourists.
Somerset Captain, Harold Stephenson won the toss and invited Australia to bat first. Fred Rumsey took four wickets as the Baggy Greens were dismissed for 278. Roe (64) then top scored in the Somerset first innings as the home side declared on 208 for six ahead of the third day.
The tourists declared on 213 for one, Bob Simpson making 125, and then dismissed their hosts for just 111 inside 49 overs to claim the win by 172 runs.
Four year’s later, Australia came to Taunton for the final time in the swinging 60s.
After winning the toss and batting first, the tourists declared at the end of day one with the score on 434 for three. Ian Chappell (147) and Bob Cowper (148) doing the majority of the damage.
Roy Virgin (56) and Tony Clarkson (63) made half centuries in Somerset’s first innings as the hosts were dismissed for 304.
Ian Redpath (112) and Les Joslin (61) then shared an opening stand of 167 as Australia made 182 for three declared.
By the close of the final day, Somerset had reached 187 for eight as the match ended in a draw.
