Somerset & Derbys finely poised

Close, day three: Somerset 103 & 438, Derbyshire 298 & 127-4

Ben Slater's half century has helped set up an intriguing final day between Division One strugglers Somerset and Derbyshire at Taunton.

After beginning day three with a lead of 36 runs on 231-4, Nick Compton (95) and Lewis Gregory (52) lifted Somerset to 438 all out.

Chasing 244 to win, Slater (59) gave Derbyshire a solid start.

But two late wickets for Piyush Chawla (2-46) saw the visitors close on 127-4, needing another 117 runs for victory.

Fellow spinner Jack Leach took 2-23 on a pitch offering considerable turn and lift.

West Indian Shivnarine Chanderpaul remains unbeaten on 20 and he could still prove crucial for Derbyshire.

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Somerset crumble to 103 against Derbyshire as their season threatens to turn sour

As if this season had not been difficult enough to stomach for Somerset fans, in recent days the club announced the cancellation of their cider festival, citing poor ticket sales.

When the Taunton locals are off their apples, it must be serious. Monday’s batting performance once again gave them nothing to cheer, and only sorrows to drown.

After winning the toss and electing to bat in a crucial relegation battle, Somerset capitulated to 103 all out, their lowest total of the season.

There were neither demons in the pitch, nor the Derbyshire bowling line-up, which prospered quietly and simply with disciplined seam bowling.

Tony Palladino’s accuracy accounted for the hosts’ top order, before Tim Groenewald tore through the middle, with his third five-wicket haul of the season.

The Somerset innings was summed up by Craig Kieswetter, who attempted to smear consecutive deliveries from Groenewald. After a slice for four and a dropped return catch, Kieswetter finally holed out at mid-off. Three reckless strikes, and out.

That the hosts remain in the game at all owed everything to Piyush Chawla, their overseas import.

His cameo with the bat scored a quarter of Somerset’s runs, and the leg-spinner’s four for 87 took advantage of some unusually prodigious first-day spin, which also caught the attention of an England and Wales Cricket Board pitch inspector in attendance.

Chawla briefly threatened to undo the visitors’ solid opening platform, but an assured, unbeaten stand of 93 in the final session between Richard Johnson (55) and Tom Poynton (53) steered Derbyshire into the commanding position they deserved.

Eleven days cricket remain in this Division One county campaign. But the opening session yesterday could prove decisive for the fate of these two teams.

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Somerset scramble to victory against Glucestershire at Bristol

Cricket’s perennial bridesmaids kept alive their hopes of ending an eight year wait to land one of cricket’s domestic trophies with a scrambled victory over Gloucestershire at Bristol.

Somerset, who lifted the Twenty 20 trophy in 2005, have not only lost their last five one-day finals, but have finished as runners up in two of the last three County Championship seasons.

Still, despite their woeful form in four-day cricket this season, which has left them in a three-way fight with Surrey and Derbyshire to avoid the indignity of relegation, they booked a YB40 semi-final trip to Trent Bridge on the back of a 12-run victory over their neighbours.

It was seldom straightforward and at times, tinged with controversy as Gloucestershire’s Michael Klinger left the field shaking his head vigorously after being given out caught by Piyush Chawla at backward square.

The Australian stood his ground at first, convinced that Chawla had taken the ball on the half volley. Much to his annoyance, he was given out after a lengthy discussion between umpires Jeff Evans and Tim Robinson.

With respect to Gloucestershire, they might not have been in the contest by the time Klinger and Hamish Marshall took to the crease after tea.

Somerset, batting first on a wicket that was flat and free of demons, appeared hell bent on not only losing as many match balls as possible in the building works at the Ashley Down Road End of the ground, but establishing new 40-over records.

Captain Marcus Trescothick and Craig Kieswetter batted with ease and no little skill to pass 100 inside 13 overs.

Kieswetter, whose audacious front foot swipe over extra cover was arguably the shot of the season, was in imperious form on his way to 42 from just 38 balls.

He lost partner Trescothick at 105-1 when the skipper holed out to Alex Gidman off Craig Miles and saw Nick Compton disappear off the very next ball.

Twenty one runs later, the England one-day specialist became David Payne’s first victim and thereafter, Somerset relied on a subdued unbeaten 68 from Jos Buttler and 34 from James Hildreth.

A total that should have topped 300 at least, settled at 258-9, leaving Gloucestershire with a target that on recent form, was well within reach.

Klinger and Marshall put on 63 for the first wicket off a ball short of 10 overs with Klinger and Chris Dent adding 29 for the second wicket before Klinger’s departure.

Ian Cockbain and Alex Gidman batted sensibly to put Gloucestershire back on course, but when the pair were dismissed in quick succession, Gloucestershire’s hopes finally evaporated.

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Ollie Rayner urges fans to stick with Middlesex after collapse against Somerset

Middlesex’s Ollie Rayner urged the club’s followers not to give up on the side after a dreadful day, which appears to have ended their title challenge.

Middlesex suffered a painful defeat against Derbyshire in the previous match, leaving them damagingly adrift of leaders Yorkshire, and impressive Somerset made them endure a nightmare here.

Somerset’s Piyush Chawla hit a century as the relegation-threatened visiting team launched an extraordinary recovery from 211 for seven to finish on 449. Middlesex looked like a demoralised side, and they responded torridly with the bat, slumping to 55 for seven at one stage before being bowled out for 106. Following on, they lost two early wickets.

Spin bowler Rayner, who carried on his much-improved form with the bat by scoring a gritty 34 not out, urged supporters to see the bigger picture. “Keep with us, stay with us,” Rayner said. “There have been much darker times for Middlesex. Over the last few years, I’d like to think we’ve given them something they can be proud of.

“We’ve had one bad day and we haven’t had many. No one tries to do it. It happens sometimes, that’s how sport works. We’ve had one real stinking session, which we’ve done to other sides throughout the year. The boys are absolutely gutted. We can’t do that ever again.”

At the start of the day, there was already a sense that Middlesex were going to fall short in their title challenge after a frustrating first day. Chawla carried on where he left off, resuming on 58 not out, and reached his century by hitting Ravi Patel into the Mound Stand for six. Alfonso Thomas supported him well, finishing on 54 not out.

Jamie Overton, recently called up to the England one-day squad, made an early impact by removing Australia opener Chris Rogers for just eight with a ball that angled across him, which he drove to third slip. “I didn’t really expect to get in the Lions team so I’m surprised at getting in the England squad,” the 19-year-old said. “I’m very excited. After the Ashes, it’s a good time.”

Lewis Gregory took two wickets and Craig Meschede picked up three as Middlesex’s batsmen imploded. Rayner showed fight, but Chawla took the final three wickets in quick succession to wrap up the first innings and finish with three for eight from 4.5 overs.

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