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Tom makes history on a remarkable day two
Tom Banton put on a batting masterclass and made history on the second day of this Rothesay County Championship First Division match against Worcestershire at the Cooper Associates County Ground.
The 26-year-old made the highest ever score by a Somerset batter in First Class cricket on a day that will live long in the memory of the more than 1500 Somerset Members and supporters who were present under beautiful sunshine in Taunton as they witnessed records tumble and history being made.
Banton will quite rightly take the majority of the plaudits for his imperious performance, whilst James Rew’s contribution will also garner justifiably favourable reviews.
Tom’s 344 surpassed the 342 made by Justin Langer against Surrey at Guildford in 2006. The right hander faced 381 balls, struck 53 fours and a six and batted for just over eight hours, becoming only the eighth Somerset player to register a triple century and the first since James Hildreth in 2009.
In a dramatic finale, Banton pulled Kashif Ali to the mid-wicket boundary off the penultimate ball of the day to break the record.
On a day when records tumbled, Banton and Rew staged a mammoth stand of 371 in 86.3 overs as the home side amassed 637 for six, a substantial first-innings lead of 468. Rew raised 152 from 275 balls, striking 14 fours and two sixes, he and Banton establishing the highest fifth wicket partnership in Somerset history, eclipsing the 320 made by John Francis and Ian Blackwell against Durham UCCE at Taunton in 2005.
All notion of a Worcestershire fightback on day two was dispelled in a morning session that went altogether in Somerset’s favour, Banton and Rew extending their partnership to record-breaking proportions. Banton set the tone, moving from his overnight score of 84 to post his fourth First Class century in quick time from 124 balls, glancing Matt Taylor off his legs to reach the landmark with his 20th four.
Worcestershire deployed seven different bowlers during the session, but Ben Allison was the only one to inconvenience the batters. When Rew, having advanced his score to 31, took on the seamer and top-edged a pull shot to deep mid-wicket, Tom Hinley contrived to drop a catch that he will feel he should have taken.
Rew certainly made the visitors pay, reaching his 50 from 102 balls, dispatching a short-pitched delivery from Allison through mid-wicket for his eighth boundary as Somerset’s lead entered three-figure territory. The hundred stand occupied 165 balls, while Banton clipped Adam Finch to fine leg to register his career-best First Class score, surpassing the 133 he made against Kent at Taunton 11 months earlier.
Rew lofted Hinley high over long-on for the first six of the match, Banton went to his maiden 150 from 173 balls and, in what seemed like no time at all, the pair established a new record Somerset stand for the fifth wicket in matches against Worcestershire, surpassing the 176 mustered by Australians Bill Alley and Colin McCool at New Road in 1959. Worcestershire conceded 131 runs in the session as Somerset reached the break on 318 for four, a lead of 164.
The new ball was taken shortly after lunch but Banton and Rew continued to flay the visiting attack to all corners of the ground and increased the partnership to 200 from 298 deliveries.
Having registered his 16th half century in First Class cricket, Rew went on to make his ninth hundred in his 41st match. On this occasion, he brought up the landmark in 186 balls, pulling Taylor for his eleventh four, receiving a standing ovation for his efforts.
Banton’s maiden double hundred arrived shortly thereafter from 241 balls with 33 fours. He then cut Taylor for four to establish a new Somerset record fifth wicket partnership with Rew.
Having banked maximum batting bonus points, there was still time for Banton and Rew to extend their partnership to 300 from 413 balls before tea was taken with Somerset on 482 for four, a substantial lead of 328.
Ethan Brookes afforded Worcestershire overdue relief when taking a brilliant return catch to end Rew’s five and-a-half hour innings, after which Banton took centre stage during a dramatic final hour.
With two overs remaining in the day, Banton needed 14 runs to eclipse Langer’s record.
Off the opening delivery of the penultimate over, the Somerset batter top edged Brett D’Oliveira high into the Taunton sky but the Worcestershire skipper was unable to hold onto what was a difficult chance and Banton scurried through for a single.
Now 13 runs were needed, five of which he claimed from the final two balls of the over.
As Kashif Ali prepared to bowl the final over of the day, immortality was now just eight runs away.
There was no run from the opening delivery.
The second delivery sped to the boundary to an almighty cheer from those assembled only for the umpire to signal four byes.
Not to be denied, Banton pulled the third ball for four.
Two leg byes were called from the fourth delivery leaving Banton needing four from the final two balls of the day.
A hush descended upon the Cooper Associates County Ground as Kashif approached the crease. There was a collective intake of breath as 1500 spectators watched on as, almost in slow motion, Banton crashed the ball to the boundary to make history.
The ground rose as one to salute what has now become the greatest innings in the history of this wonderful Club.
How fitting that it should come in our 150th year. It is a day that will be endlessly recounted by cricket lovers forever.
