Somerset lifted themselves from the foot of Division One with a rousing victory over Nottinghamshire at Taunton, having been in a perilous position for much of the match. The 127 required for victory were knocked off but not without drama, as three of their five standing wickets – including the two set and recognised batsmen – fell for 16 runs with 20 still required. But the No10, Abdur Rehman, completed the job with three boundaries in four deliveries off the 19-year-old Matthew Carter, who ended with match figures of 10 for 195 on his first-class debut.
Somerset’s intent was crystal clear as standard-bearer and charge-leader Peter Trego drove the first two deliveries he received from Carter (in the day’s first over) through the covers for boundaries and would go on to add 53 to his overnight 26 in his 116-run stand with Jim Allenby, before the pair fell in quick succession. First, Allenby was leg before to Samit Patel, then Trego edged to slip to become Carter’s third victim to add to his seven for 56 in the first innings. Tim Groenewald was dropped when top-edging a sweep on two by Ben Hilfenhaus off Carter, but Patel had his man soon after, trapped in front playing across the line.
The finish line remained 20 away, however, and Rehman, in conjunction with Michael Bates, the wicketkeeper, hauled Somerset over it shortly before lunch. “Abdur Rehman has saved me a few sleepless nights,” Trego said with a laugh.
Durham require eight more Sussex wickets, on an Arundel track that calmed considerably on Wednesday. After 26 wickets in the opening two days, just six fell on the third as Gordon Muchall scored an outstanding century – having come in at 13 for four – and John Hastings bashed a lusty, brutal 91 to leave Durham firmly in control, especially as they prised out the wickets of Michael Yardy and Matt Machan in the final session. Muchall was patient and watchful, driving with power and severe on anything loose, as he shared 116 with Paul Coughlin to add to the match-turning 118 with Scott Borthwick on the second evening.
Luke Wells, who shared Sussex’s highest opening stand of the season, 60, with Yardy, held fast to close on 53. That Durham batted on without declaration – in search of an unassailable lead and Hastings’ maiden first-class century – gives Sussex – 400 in arrears – a sniff of survival, although faint signs of reverse swing and some continued variable bounce, albeit on a flattening pitch, mean an attack of Durham’s quality will surely prevail.
On another harum-scarum day at Guildford, Graham Wagg’s outrageous display of hitting gave Glamorgan an unlikely first-innings lead – from the wreckage of 54 for five – over Surrey, before Arun Harinath scored his second century of their Division Two match to set up an intriguing final day. Wagg’s 200 contained exactly 150 in boundaries, including 11 sixes, and helped Glamorgan add 114 to their overnight 323 for eight. Wagg was last man to fall, the ball after he completed the milestone. Tom Curran was treated with particular disdain, with 48 taken from 14 deliveries at one stage.
Harinath – who is only playing because of Rory Burns’ injury at Arundel on Sunday – reached his century from 149 balls as wickets fell steadily around him. Shortly after reaching his century Harinath fell too, and Surrey reached stumps 245 ahead, although three late wickets make a result likely on Thursday.
