THE lengthening shadows at the Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton on Friday afternoon marked the end of Somerset’s final home game of the 2023 season, writes Richard Walsh.

The match against Kent, of which more than two days were lost to the rain eventually ended as a draw, from which the hosts take 12 points to guarantee their place at the top table of the LV=Championship in 2024.

The highlight of the match was the Somerset batting,  which included centuries for both Tom Lammonby , his first of the season, and Lewis Goldsworthy making his first appearance of the season.

Last season the 22 year old Cornishman played in 10 LV=Championship matches in which he scored 558 runs at an average of 37.20, with a best of 130, so this was a timely reminder to the selectors as to what they have been missing out on this season.

For the first time in 2023 the Cidermen were given a good start thanks to an opening partnership of 73 between Tom Lammonby and skipper Tom Abell, who was elevated to replace Sean Dickson was was absent after his wife had a baby.

The opening stand was the highest of the season and after Abell was out for 20, Goldsworthy joined Lammonby and the pair proceeded to add 132 together, before the opener was out for 109- his first century of the season. 

Goldsworthy then added 105 with Andy Umeed who continues to impress with each appearance before he was out for 49.

The Cornishman batted with a calmed assurance, which with the exception of James Rew has been sadly lacking from the Somerset batting this season. He duly went to his century and along with Kohler- Cadmore added 84 in just eight overs before he was eventually out for 122, which came off 203 balls with 12 fours.

Kohler-Cadmore was in no mood to hang around and before play was abandoned on day three he blasted his way to an unbeaten 68 from 31 balls with two fours and eight sixes to see the Cidermen to  404 for four, a total on which they declared overnight.

The final day’s play of the season saw Somerset bowl Kent out for 235, Abell claiming four for 54 from his 11 overs, while Lewis Gregory ended with three 49 from the same number of overs.

Following on Kent had reached 44 for two when the captains shook hands and the game ended in a draw.