Marcus Trescothick hit a 129-ball century as he and James Hildreth put Somerset in command before a major last-session collapse halted their momentum
Alex Winter at Taunton26-Apr-2015
ScorecardStill going strong: Marcus Trescothick brought out his full range during a flamboyant century•Getty Images
A true sporting legend retired after over two decades on Saturday with AP McCoy completing a remarkable career. Cricket has a similar veteran held in such high esteem also with over 20 years of service, just without as many tangible achievements. An ambulance does not follow Marcus Trescothick around either but on the opening day in Taunton, as Trescothick made his 42nd first-class century for Somerset, it was being considered whether this century was the start of the glorious goodbye.He was as good as ever, slamming a 129-ball century and sharing a stand of 261 in 290 balls with James Hildreth for the third wicket – a Somerset record for any wicket against Middlesex. Hildreth made his own flowing century, his highest score since 2012, but Trescothick was still the main attraction as Middlesex were left to ponder their decision to bowl first before a notable fightback with a 79-over old ball.Harris heading in the right direction
“I haven’t bowled my best,” Harris said. “It’s a bit annoying that my spells have been dragging it back rather than at the top of the day. I felt I’ve gone okay but I’d prefer to bowl well. I’m taking wickets, which is nice but I’m bowling better too.
“We got balls past the bat all day and bowled good balls, just some of them seemed to be cracked into the fence. James Hildreth was cutting balls off a good line to most players. But there was a bit in it all day and it probably did more when the sun came out.”
Somerset lost 7 for 31 to squander their dominance. James Harris took four wickets in 11 balls against Nottinghamshire at Lord’s on the first day of the season and here came up with four more in 18 deliveries, having changed to the pavilion end, to check Somerset’s raging progress which had been five-an-over for most of the day. It was mostly with the old ball, Harris finishing with his best figures for Middlesex and Somerset flopped alarmingly from 377 for 3 to 408 all out. It followed two slips in defeat against Durham.Harris has said this is a huge season for him, in the final year of his three-year contract – although discussions were had last week about a new deal – after struggling since his move to Middlesex to find the form that saw him selected for an England squad after impressing for Glamorgan. He has changed his action back to its original form and 5 for 83 here followed 4 for 75 in the first innings against Nottinghamshire as Lord’s. Harris also claimed a stunning diving catch, running back from mid-on to remove Trescothick. But all seemed well for the hosts at the time.”We could probably have batted longer but at the same time it’s good to see if you get the ball in the right place there’s something there,” Trescothick said. “There’s a bit more pace in this wicket than normal.”The collapse changed the conversation from Trescothick’s future. He made his Somerset debut a year after McCoy rode his first winner and turning 40 this year – the same age as AP – and in the final year of his current contract, going out at the top of his game must surely be a consideration. McCoy was riding as well as ever this season but thought it the right time to bow out, might Trescothick draw the same conclusion?More of this form may provide a fine send off. Here, he shrugged off making 11 and 0 against Durham in the opening round with a blaze of bludgeoned boundaries – 24 of them. Sixteen came before lunch as a first-session century looked plausible. But it was shortly into the afternoon, having been dropped on 95 by Neil Dexter at slip off Ollie Rayner – a very sharp chance from a sliced cut – when a paddle sweep for two brought up Trescothick’s hundred.The long room diners even stood up from their carveries to acclaim a masterful innings. Trescothick himself celebrated unusually exuberantly – a big fist pump in the direction of the dressing room. There was little time to consider the significance before Rayner was swept for four more.The crowd purred with admiration for a vintage knock. Anything slightly off line was typically guided away – 10 of Trescothick’s boundaries came behind square on the off side, including a delicate lift over the slips off Steven Finn. But the pick of the strokes was a drive from a Harris length ball through cover – encapsulating the domination Trescothick exerted. But for how long will it continue?Hildreth is also a Somerset batting legend. More stylish than Trescothick he is more inconsistent, too. And significantly more frustrating given his talent. Hildreth managed just one Championship century last season but has opened up 2015 with a fifty against Durham and now this elegant innings.His second and third scoring strokes were a driven four off Harris and a pull from the same bowler over midwicket for six. His control of the bowling was also best demonstrated against Harris as he returned after lunch. He pulled a ball only slightly short of a length through midwicket. Harris wasn’t far out with his length but felt the need for an adjustment – his next delivery was driven with élan past cover.Hildreth should not have made it that far. Somehow he was dropped by Nick Gubbins on 49. Hildreth popped up a miscued pull to square leg, Gubbins moved two steps to his right and simply took his eye off the catch. A truly astonishing miss. Had it been taken Middlesex’s decision at the toss would have been considered a shrewd move. But it took until after tea to make a series of inroads.