CC Game 16
Lancashire faced two pieces of disappointing news before their final match of the season. Flintoff was ruled out with an injury and Surrey, who had completed their final match already, had a 29 point lead. With second place the best on offer for Lancashire, only pride was on the line against Somerset. Newby replaced Flintoff in an otherwise unchanged side.
Law did win another toss however, and chose to bat first again. Horton anchored the innings on day one, posting his highest first class score of 179. Loye (74) and Horton got the side off to a sensational start, and they found themselves 0/143 at lunch. Somerset hit back however, and it took a 113 run stand between Horton and Sutton to get the innings back on track. Horton was eventually dismissed towards the end of the day, but Sutton continued his fine innings into day two. Number eleven Newby allowed him to reach his century, and the wicket-keeper batsman then went crazy. The 66 run stand for the final wicket featured only six runs from Newby. Trescothick and Edwards seemed to have the last laugh though, as the Somerset opening pair combined for a 234 run opening stand. Trescothick was dropped early, which proved very costly. Like Lancashire, Somerset struggled against the new ball, and finished on 423, somewhat disappointing after their sensational start. Anderson was the main destroyer, with Newby and Mahmood picking up a couple of wickets each in support.
Lancashire only had a 65 run lead so had to be cautious not to collapse. Perhaps the batsmen were too cautious, as of the eight players to bat, everyone scored at least 20 runs but Law top scored with just 53. Munday tied the team down brilliantly, and added another three scalps to his six wicket bag in the first innings. Lancashire declared later than they wanted, setting Somerset 378 to win in just over two sessions. The home side showed little interest in going after the total so instead settled for the draw, but Lancashire was inspired and reduced Somerset to 4/106 at tea. Cork picked up two big wickets of Trescothick and Trego. Blackwell ran himself out with the second ball after the tea break, and Durston was dismissed by Mahmood in the same over as Somerset shot themselves in the foot. Mahmood then ripped through the lower order causing Somerset to collapse from 6/125 to 9/129. Kieswetter added 25 with Munday for the last wicket to cause some anxiety for Lancashire, before Anderson sent Munday packing to complete a 223 run victory.