First Class best for Thomas as Somerset battle back
A highest First Class score of 133 not out for Thomas Rew was the highlight of the third day of this Rothesay County Championship Division One match between Somerset and Warwickshire at the Cooper Associates County Ground.
It was a day which saw the Somerset batters battle back brilliantly in the face of adversity and once again shined a spotlight on Somerset’s 18-year-old wicketkeeper/batter.
In addition to Rew’s second First Class century, he and Craig Overton set a new record partnership for the seventh wicket against Warwickshire, beating the previous best of 140 between Harold Stephenson and Ken Palmer at Edgbaston in 1957. The stand is currently worth 193.
The day began with the home side resuming on 23 for one, trailing by 99. By the close of play Somerset were 341 for six, leading by 219, something which had seemed unlikely when the sixth wicket fell with the score on 148.
Whilst much of the talk will be about Rew, it’s important not to overlook the contribution of Overton, whose innings of 89 not out from 179 deliveries provided a calming influence, allowed his younger teammate to flourish, but still kept the runs flowing.
Play began with Jordan Hermann and Josh Shaw batting confidently until the introduction of Manav Suthar from the River End.
The Indian left-arm spinner struck in his fourth over as Hermann, on 34, attempted a slog-sweep and directed the ball to deep mid-wicket where Nathan Gilchrist took an excellent low catch.
Shaw was batting like a top order player, but lost another partner with the total on 69 as Tom Kohler-Cadmore was stumped aiming to drive a wide ball from Suthar.
The resolute Shaw battled away for 85 balls before falling for 22, nicking a defensive push off Suthar to slip and at 80 for four, Somerset still trailed by 42. First innings top scorer Lewis Goldsworthy and Rew wiped out the deficit either side of lunch, adding 44 before Goldsworthy fell lbw to a ball angled into him by Ethan Bamber.
Archie Vaughan made seven before being caught behind down the leg-side attempting to pull a short ball from Gilchrist. At that point, Somerset looked to be in trouble.
However, Rew and Overton had other ideas, the teenager leading the way with a fluent half-century off 95 balls, laced with eight sweetly-struck boundaries. He rarely looked in any bother against seam or spin, confirming the promise that made him England Under-19 captain at the age of 17.
Overton is batting better than ever this season and offered typically positive support as the pair took the total to 224 for six by tea, a lead of 102.
The final session saw Overton follow his partner to fifty, off 87 balls, with seven fours and a six, before they brought up a century stand from 163 deliveries. Now Somerset were 126 in front and could harbour hopes of giving their bowlers a lead to work with on the final day.
Rew’s century came off 171 balls and he went on to surpass the 127 made against Notts. Overton had faced 179 balls by the close, hitting 11 fours and a six, and all results are possible on the final day.
