DESPITE Craig Overton achieving career-best match figures of 13 for 87, Somerset lost to Essex by one wicket in their second LV= County Championship match of the season.

Adam Rossington kept his head in a crisis to guide Essex to the nerve-tingling win at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton.

Somerset head coach Jason Kerr said: “It was an epic morning and I’m still struggling to catch my breath.

“Craig Overton led the attack brilliantly and Peter Siddle demonstrated what a quality performer he is while being incredibly unlucky. We could love to see Craig demonstrate his talents on the international stage.

“We were anticipating a truer surface. The ball did more than we expected and that made batting a challenge. That doesn’t take away from the fact that we are under-performing with the bat and there is work to be done.”

 

Needing just 84 for victory, the visitors crashed to 60 for eight before Rossington’s 29 not out saw them to their target by the narrowest of margins.

It was rough justice on Craig Overton, who claimed six for 30 on the day, and he was supported by Peter Siddle with three for 25 as Somerset’s seamers fought to the last.

Essex began the day on three for one, having lost opener Nick Browne at the end of play the previous evening.

After the 11th ball of the day, the scoreboard read four for four. The first from Overton had seen Alastair Cook edge just short of third slip and take a single.

It was 56 for six when Overton returned from the River End. With one run added, Wheater was pinned lbw with a ball that struck his back pad.

Before Essex could regroup from that blow, Siddle sent back Simon Harmer for a duck, leg-before attempting a front foot defensive shot.

With 24 still needed, the outcome was in the balance. Rossington opted to be positive with some crisp attacking shots.

The scores were level when Shane Snater was caught off a top edge, trying to win the game with pull shot off Overton before a scampered leg bye finally settled a riveting contest.