Somerset moved within striking distance of a County Championship Division One victory over defending champions Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge on day three, Sunday, June 14, after teenager Thomas Rew posted a brilliant maiden first-class hundred to power the visitors to a declaration at 355 for 7.
Nottinghamshire, set 473 to win, stumbled to 47 for 3 at stumps and now face an almost impossible task on the final day.
Thomas Rew’s Maiden Century Puts Somerset in Command
Thomas Rew walked in with Somerset in their second innings needing runs quickly and delivered one of the most assured batting performances seen at Trent Bridge this season. The youngster finished unbeaten on 127 from just 151 balls, an innings containing eight fours and six sixes, and one that thoroughly announced his arrival at first-class level.
He shared a 68-run fifth-wicket stand with elder brother James, who contributed 50 from 103 balls, before combining with Archie Vaughan for a further 69 runs. Rew brought up his century from 135 balls, three of his six sixes coming before the milestone. He added a further three sixes in an unbroken eighth-wicket partnership of 63 with Jack Leach, who struck an aggressive 28 from 24 balls as Somerset accelerated toward their declaration target. Rew’s only meaningful scare came when he was dropped off Dillon Pennington on 59; otherwise, Nottinghamshire’s bowlers had no answer to him.
Somerset’s Declaration Leaves Nottinghamshire Chasing History
Somerset skipper Lewis Gregory, who had injured his hamstring the previous day and could not take the field, declared the innings closed with Somerset 355 for 7, setting Nottinghamshire a target of 473 in a minimum of 114 overs. The task is, by any reasonable measure, beyond the hosts.
Earlier in the day, the Somerset innings had moved slowly before Rew and his brother changed the tempo. Lewis Goldsworthy fell to the first delivery of the morning, edging Brett Hutton behind for just one run. The opening hour produced barely four runs off the bat. Mohammad Ali eventually removed nightwatchman Alfie Ogborne for 17, and the Rew brothers took control from there.
Jake Ball, drafted in as an official substitute for Gregory, made an immediate impact when Nottinghamshire came out to bat. He removed Ben Slater for 16 with the fifth ball of his spell, completing a wicket maiden as first change. Craig Overton then had Freddie McCann caught behind by Thomas Rew himself, who had taken the wicketkeeping gloves from James for the closing overs, for 8. Jack Leach removed nightwatchman Brett Hutton lbw for 6 with seven balls remaining in the day, leaving Nottinghamshire on 47 for 3 with captain Haseeb Hameed unbeaten on 12.
SUGGESTED READ: Luxton, Bairstow and Hill Put Yorkshire in Control as Warwickshire Face 453-Run Chase
Nottinghamshire’s Title Defence Under Severe Threat
Nottinghamshire, the reigning County Championship title holders, now require 426 more runs from the final day with only seven wickets remaining. The run rate required makes victory essentially impossible, meaning survival across a minimum of 96 overs is the only realistic objective.
Somerset, who hold five points from this match with one day remaining, are firmly in control. A win on Monday would represent a significant statement in the Division One title race and a serious blow to Nottinghamshire’s hopes of retaining the championship they won last season.
Follow JeetWin Sports for more Cricket news and updates.
