Goldsworthy secures unlikely Somerset win on First-Class debut

Lewis Goldsworthy hit an unbeaten 41* to help Somerset to a dramatic win over Middlesex.

The 20-year-old shared an unbeaten stand of 80 with experienced ‘keeper Steve Davies to win in unlikely circumstances at Taunton.

Middlesex began strongly, setting 357 after a steady opening day. Robbie White starred with an impressive 92, aided by the top order form of Nick Gubbins (75) and Max Holden (49).

Craig Overton and Josh Davey removed three each, with Lewis Gregory and Tom Lammonby taking the other wickets.

Somerset responded with 268 in their first innings, with George Bartlett top scoring with a sturdy 55. Skipper Tom Abell (41), Goldsworthy himself (39) and James Hildreth (39) contributed in the top order, with a late 38 from Overton keeping the total competitive.

Middlesex had a stronghold on the match with a resounding 91-run lead, but collapsed after an excellent bowling display from the hosts. Overton continued his excellent match with an economical 5-34, taking his match total to eight wickets. Josh Davey and Tom Abell took the remainder. They were dismissed for 117, leaving Somerset 208 to chase.

After losing Tom Banton in the opening ball of the innings and Tom Lammonby not long afterwards, Somerset rebuilt well with Abell hitting a steady 49 and Hildreth a quick 43 on day three.

Night-watchman Jack Leach fell just before the close, leaving them needing 105 to win with six wickets to spare going into the final day.

Goldsworthy arrived at the crease early in the next day with Middlesex in the ascendency.

Abell and Bartlett (12) fell early on day four, bringing the youth of Goldsworthy and the experience of Steve Davies to the crease.

Goldsworthy, akin to the first innings, was stubborn at the beginning of the innings. Somerset needed stability, which the Cornish youngster brought to a desperate situation.

He played a stunning pull shot against former England paceman Steven Finn, hailed as the ‘shot of the day’ on the Somerset Website, just after Davies eased pressure on the scoreboard with two cover drive fours.

Goldsworthy hit another boundary to take the seventh-wicket stand to 65 at lunch. Somerset needed just 19 to win, which they completed without any problem. Goldsworthy showed maturity beyond his years to win his team 21 points. Middlesex left with just seven.

“His first innings runs were vital and today he has again demonstrated how calm he is under pressure.”

– Jason Kerr, Somerset Head Coach

Somerset go second after winning their third out of four matches in Group 2, with Middlesex falling to fifth. The visitors host in-form Gloucestershire at Lords next up, and Somerset travel to Hampshire.

Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt