Taunton thriller ends in tie

Sean Beynon

July 26, 2002

An extraordinary final day saw West Indies A tie with Somerset at Taunton. Set 454 to win, Graham Rose was snapped up by Chris Gayle from the penultimate ball of an amazing match.

Audacious cricket all day gave Somerset their victory chance. Peter Trego's maiden first-class century was a wonderful affair. He was supported by Piran Holloway's 88 and debutant Wesley Durston's terrific 55. Rose then slashed 32 from 28 balls, only to fall at the last hurdle.

Needing eight from the last over, Rose appeared to have sealed the match. He had added 22 with the gutsy Matthew Bulbeck before Sulieman Benn grabbed the final catch.

Trego had hit 140 to set up an incredible chase. Promoted in the order, he batted with freedom from the start, hitting 19 fours and two sixes in a brilliant knock. Adding 123 for the third wicket with Holloway, the youngster played the junior role before expanding even further later in his innings.

Still, Trego went and victory for the tourists' should have been assured. Durston had other ideas, reaching 50 from 40 balls in blistering style. He added 67 for the ninth wicket from Rose before he was clean bowled by Reon King. It was an innings which belied his 21 years and points to a bright future.

The fact that Somerset had been allowed within arm's length of such a huge total says much for their batting, but suggests that the West Indian fielding and bowling was not top class. King was the pick of the bowlers with three for 90, with Gayle and Darren Powell collecting two scalps each.

After Matthew Wood and Neil Edwards had fallen early to excellent catches in the gully and behind the stumps respectively, the West Indians looked like progressing to a regulation win. Holloway was dropped twice however, but did not let his luck faze him.

After a cracking knock with 13 fours and a six, Holloway played onto Powell. Keith Parsons edged to first slip just before tea and with Arul Suppiah and Keith Dutch going in quick succession, the game looked lost.

After Carl Gazzard and Trego had made their way back to the pavilion, spectators could have been forgiven for heading to the exit. Unflustered batting from Durston and Rose, showed the confidence of both youth and experience and bought about a memorable finish.

© Cricinfo

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Matches

West Indies A v Somerset

Series/Tournaments

West Indies A tour of England

Teams

Somerset

West Indies