The Buttler did it
Somerset's 19-year-old crowd favourite steals the show in the absence of the longed-for Andre Nel histrionics
John Pascoe
30-Aug-2010
Jos Buttler: wowed 'em • Getty Images
Choice of game
The match was the Clydesdale Bank 40 Group A match between Somerset and Surrey at Taunton. I was tempted to go, having watched Somerset with admiration in the tournament so far. Although Somerset were on a magnificent run, Surrey were also in with a shout of second place, making it a tough one to predict.
The match was the Clydesdale Bank 40 Group A match between Somerset and Surrey at Taunton. I was tempted to go, having watched Somerset with admiration in the tournament so far. Although Somerset were on a magnificent run, Surrey were also in with a shout of second place, making it a tough one to predict.
Team supported
I was barracking for Somerset as they are my local (well, nearest anyway) first-class team. I also grew up following Middlesex, so that rubber-stamped it.
I was barracking for Somerset as they are my local (well, nearest anyway) first-class team. I also grew up following Middlesex, so that rubber-stamped it.
Key performer
Tough one this as Craig Kieswetter, Mark Ramprakash, Murali Kartik and Chris Schofield all contributed significantly, but the winner for me was Jos Buttler. His 87 was achieved in double quick time, had a mixture of deft touches and magnificent sixes, and was a match-winning innings.
Tough one this as Craig Kieswetter, Mark Ramprakash, Murali Kartik and Chris Schofield all contributed significantly, but the winner for me was Jos Buttler. His 87 was achieved in double quick time, had a mixture of deft touches and magnificent sixes, and was a match-winning innings.
One thing you'd have changed
The rain breaks were a shame, so perhaps I would have changed the weather, but the main thing I would change is Andre Nel's injury. The game needed a bit of tension. Gunther would have helped. Oh, and I wouldn't have left my sunglasses in the car!
The rain breaks were a shame, so perhaps I would have changed the weather, but the main thing I would change is Andre Nel's injury. The game needed a bit of tension. Gunther would have helped. Oh, and I wouldn't have left my sunglasses in the car!
Face-off you relished
I was looking forward to Nel v Trescothick but Nel's injury put paid to that. Shame! There is nothing like Nel's bowling being whacked to all corners to ignite his competitive side. Kartik v Ramprakash was also worth waiting for and didn't disappoint.
I was looking forward to Nel v Trescothick but Nel's injury put paid to that. Shame! There is nothing like Nel's bowling being whacked to all corners to ignite his competitive side. Kartik v Ramprakash was also worth waiting for and didn't disappoint.
Wow moment
There was not really a wow moment as such but I left the ground extremely impressed with Schofield. His bowling was accurate and awkward. He was clumped into the Andy Caddick pavilion for six by Kieswetter early on but didn't lose heart. He has an incredibly accurate arm, bags of enthusiasm, and plays the game with a smile on his face.
There was not really a wow moment as such but I left the ground extremely impressed with Schofield. His bowling was accurate and awkward. He was clumped into the Andy Caddick pavilion for six by Kieswetter early on but didn't lose heart. He has an incredibly accurate arm, bags of enthusiasm, and plays the game with a smile on his face.
Player watch
At various times Ramprakash and Schofield were fielding near us at deep backward point. The crowd was very lenient with them and let them get on with it. They even reacted with sympathy when Ramprakash slipped and let a square cut through his legs, which was then unsuccessfully lunged at by Steven Cheetham like a desperate football defender. Unfortunately the ball still didn't reach the boundary.
At various times Ramprakash and Schofield were fielding near us at deep backward point. The crowd was very lenient with them and let them get on with it. They even reacted with sympathy when Ramprakash slipped and let a square cut through his legs, which was then unsuccessfully lunged at by Steven Cheetham like a desperate football defender. Unfortunately the ball still didn't reach the boundary.
Shot of the day
Another tough one this, as there were some lusty blows on show. The best for me was Buttler's paddle round the corner for six off Chris Tremlett's bowling. Down on one knee facing one of the fastest bowlers around is no mean feat. Jade Dernbach's massive six into the top tier of the Sir Ian Botham Stand came in a close second.
Another tough one this, as there were some lusty blows on show. The best for me was Buttler's paddle round the corner for six off Chris Tremlett's bowling. Down on one knee facing one of the fastest bowlers around is no mean feat. Jade Dernbach's massive six into the top tier of the Sir Ian Botham Stand came in a close second.
Crowd meter
I'll get some stick for saying this but the crowd were extremely disappointing. The ground was probably two-thirds full. The win meant that their team qualified for the semi-finals, but there was never any sign of that from the crowd. I got the impression that they would have been more alive had Somerset been chasing. They love Buttler though. He got a lot of cheers. I'm not surprised either. He is only 19. What a find.
I'll get some stick for saying this but the crowd were extremely disappointing. The ground was probably two-thirds full. The win meant that their team qualified for the semi-finals, but there was never any sign of that from the crowd. I got the impression that they would have been more alive had Somerset been chasing. They love Buttler though. He got a lot of cheers. I'm not surprised either. He is only 19. What a find.
Fancy-dress index
There was a group of Smurfs who appeared periodically. Twice during rain breaks I went to have a chat with them but they had disappeared without a trace. Strange.
There was a group of Smurfs who appeared periodically. Twice during rain breaks I went to have a chat with them but they had disappeared without a trace. Strange.
There was also a group of hula "girls" who occasionally sang some Wurzels' songs and "Baa Baa Black Sheep", but who also disappeared for long periods. On the whole, a very bad show!
Entertainment
There were a few apparently random bursts of music when wickets fell but only during the rain breaks did the choice of music make sense ("Why Does it Always Rain on Me?" And "Umbrella"). The music did nothing to inspire the crowd.
There were a few apparently random bursts of music when wickets fell but only during the rain breaks did the choice of music make sense ("Why Does it Always Rain on Me?" And "Umbrella"). The music did nothing to inspire the crowd.
The peripheral entertainment was good. It was Armed Services day and the services had some demonstrations going on throughout the afternoon. The ECB Roadshow was also there, giving kids a chance to show off their skills.
I loved the fact that there was tombola close to the main scoreboard. It gave it the feel of a club ground. Very quaint!
Accessories
The most important accessory was a DAB radio to keep up to speed with the progress of the Test match at Lord's. I initially left it at home the sideboard and then went back four miles to retrieve it. The Test match finished before a ball had been bowled at Taunton. Typical.
The most important accessory was a DAB radio to keep up to speed with the progress of the Test match at Lord's. I initially left it at home the sideboard and then went back four miles to retrieve it. The Test match finished before a ball had been bowled at Taunton. Typical.
I wish I had taken a towel to dry the seat after the rain showers.
Overall
The atmosphere was a little flat but that was not necessarily a bad thing. It is not always everyone's cup of tea to have too much inane yelling. The cricket was entertaining and, although it ended a little one-sided, was liberally sprinkled with great shots, good fielding and tight bowling. The boundaries were just the right length to make it an achievement to clear them. The food was tasty and reasonably priced. For me it was a good day out.
The atmosphere was a little flat but that was not necessarily a bad thing. It is not always everyone's cup of tea to have too much inane yelling. The cricket was entertaining and, although it ended a little one-sided, was liberally sprinkled with great shots, good fielding and tight bowling. The boundaries were just the right length to make it an achievement to clear them. The food was tasty and reasonably priced. For me it was a good day out.
The stadium at Taunton is rather bitty. It looks like someone has taken a load of different architectural styles and thrown them up in the air. This is true of a lot of the modern county grounds, especially those that don't host Test matches. It is a shame as it gives the ground a bit of an amateurish feel. However, the Somerset supporters I spoke to all think it gives the ground a homely feel. I feel an article coming on.
Marks out of 10
Some rather restless children brought it down from 7 to 6.5.
Some rather restless children brought it down from 7 to 6.5.
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