Durham v Somerset: Day two close
THE in-form Ben Harmison cut two batsmen off in their prime in the final session of day two as Durham take on Somerset in the County Championship.
The all-rounder has finished the season strongly with bat and ball. He removed Marcus Trescothick for 75 and Nick Compton for 46 after tea.
Retired from international cricket after losing the battle with his internal demons, Somerset captain Trescothick remains one of county cricket's class acts, and batted like it today.
His 65-ball half-century featured seven fours, the last as good as any, driving Liam Plunkett through the covers to bring up the landmark.
But he brought his exhibition to a premature end with a loose shot to Harmison, and was caught behind by Phil Mustard 25 short of another Championship century.
Compton was only four adrift of his own personal landmark when Harmison did for him in his next over. If anything, the ball looked as if it might have done too much to win an lbw, but the umpire sided with Durham.
If Compton and Trescothick had both oozed class, Craig Kieswetter did not. Back on the county scene after losing his place in England's 50-over side to Steven Davies, the South African-born wicketkeeper looked dreadfully out of touch.
He confirmed as much by playing around a straight ball from Chris Rushworth and losing his middle stump to reduce Somerset to 180-4.
Peter Trego steadied the ship with James Hildreth, touching the ball into the legside to earn Somerset a first batting point - and fourth bonus point - of the match. They finished the day on 226-4. Trego and Hildreth were 33 and 31 not out respectively.
Assuming they can keep Yorskhire at arm's length, Somerset need three points more than Nottinghamshire from this final round of matches to end the season as champions for the first time. With Notts pointless so far after struggling even to get on the field at Old Trafford, their chances look good.
Rain has ruined the game at Old Trafford and when Nottinghamshire finally made it out yesterday the day was further shortened by that Manchester curse - bright sunshine. Durham have so far taken three points from this contest.
From their perspective, the highlight of the session was a first bowl in Championship cricket for debutant Ruel Brathwaite. The pacey 25-year-old bowled better than figures of 11-2-40-0 suggest and was unfortunate on two occasions not to have Compton as his first victim in Durham colours.
Wednesday's Journal will have a full report of the second day's play.
