By: Adeel Khursheed
In the LV=Insurance County Championship match, Tom Kohler-Cadmore displayed a notable performance by amassing 84 runs. However, Hampshire’s strategic approach ultimately led them to their sixth victory of the season. The substantial 107-run partnership between Kohler-Cadmore and James Rew initially posed a challenge to Hampshire, the favorites, despite the early loss of two wickets.
Nevertheless, Liam Dawson’s consistent bowling yielded four crucial wickets for 85 runs, and the introduction of the second new ball played a pivotal role as Hampshire secured a 185-run win before the tea break, with Somerset falling short by 33 overs.
Hampshire, having already seen their title hopes extinguished by Surrey’s victory on the previous day, accumulated 21 points compared to Somerset’s modest three. Both teams now found themselves competing for prize money as they entered the final month of the season. Hampshire needed eight wickets to clinch the victory, while Somerset faced the daunting task of chasing down 400 runs on the last day at the Ageas Bowl.
Somerset’s first-innings performance was lackluster as they were dismissed for a mere 137 runs. The early dismissal of Sean Dickson, who had completed a half-century the previous evening, set the stage for Hampshire’s bowlers to assert their dominance. Andy Umeed, who had contributed to a 68-run partnership with Dickson, was dismissed shortly thereafter.
However, Tom Kohler-Cadmore and James Rew exhibited resilience and patiently ate away at the overs. Kohler-Cadmore, although initially tentative with his aggressive shot attempts, eventually found his rhythm and reached his fourth half-century of the season in 67 deliveries.
James Rew, Division One’s top run-scorer with 1,077 runs, initially faced difficulties but remained composed. Liam Dawson’s left-arm spin eventually disrupted their 107-run partnership when Rew edged one to the wicketkeeper.
Kohler-Cadmore’s resistance concluded at 84, courtesy of a superb off-spinning delivery from Tom Prest, just five overs before the second new ball was due. The introduction of the new ball proved decisive as Hampshire swiftly dismantled Somerset’s innings, with Lewis Gregory, Neil Wagner, Jack Brooks, and Shoabib Bashir falling in rapid succession.
In Hampshire’s second innings, Nick Gubbins produced an outstanding innings, accumulating an elegant 139 runs, marking his highest score for Hampshire since joining from Middlesex. He, along with Fletcha Middleton and James Vince, guided Hampshire to an imposing lead of 501 runs, compelling Somerset to confront a formidable target.
Despite facing a minimum of 128 overs to bat out, Somerset encountered difficulties and concluded the day at 102 for two, with Sean Dickson’s unbeaten 63 being their sole substantial contribution. Hampshire’s title aspirations had already been dashed by Surrey’s victory, but they appeared poised to secure a resounding win in this County Championship encounter.
On day two, Keith Barker’s five-wicket haul and Jack Brooks’ earlier success with the ball played pivotal roles in Hampshire’s establishment of control. Despite a significant first-innings lead of 171 runs, Hampshire chose to bat again and extended their lead to 216 runs.
Overall, Hampshire’s strong performances in both innings, coupled with noteworthy contributions from key players such as Liam Dawson and Nick Gubbins, as well as their bowlers, positioned them in a commanding position in the match.
