LAMMONBY DIGS DEEP TO SECURE DRAW FOR SOMERSET

CRICKET: Tom Lammonby continued his excellent start to the season and played a major role in Somerset earning a hard-fought Vitality County Championship draw at newly-promoted Worcestershire. Lammonby dug in to score his third half-century of the season, in addition to his hundred against champions Surrey.

His unbeaten 81 lifted his run tally for the campaign past the 350 mark and he received excellent support from Andrew Umeed during a decisive fourth-wicket partnership at Kidderminster. When the duo joined forces, Somerset were still 76 runs in arrears at 66-3 but they effectively blunted the attack and batted throughout the afternoon session in adding 117 in 39 overs.

Lammonby enjoys facing Worcestershire and in 2020 became Somerset’s youngest player, at the age of 20, to carry his bat through an innings in a crucial four-day Bob Willis Trophy game at New Road. His efforts helped sealed a fourth successive draw for Somerset and a third in four games for Worcester - plus a defeat against Durham since gaining promotion. Somerset resumed on five for one and Matt Renshaw survived a chance to second slip before he had scored, off Jason Holder. Nightwatchman Jake Ball frustrated Worcestershire during the opening hour and also did the bulk of the scoring, with Renshaw content to blunt the attack. The second wicket pair added 39 before Adam Finch made the breakthrough, bowling Ball for 29.

Club captain Brett D’oliveira brought himself into the attack shortly before lunch and accounted for Renshaw, who attempted to sweep the leg-spinner and gave a catch to Kashif Ali at short leg. However, Lammonby and Umeed ensure there was no clatter of wickets. Lammonby completed a solid half-century from 126 balls and Umeed brought up his 50 - from 117 deliveries before falling to a fine return one-handed reflex catch by Ben Gibbon as the visitors closed on 190-4.