Jack Leach has revealed that there is growing excitement within the Somerset dressing room as the team pushes for an inaugural County Championship title.
Leach delivered a remarkable spin bowling performance in Somerset’s emphatic eight-wicket victory over Essex at the Cooper Associates Ground in Taunton on Sunday. The 35-year-old left-arm spinner took 5 wickets for 81 runs from 55.2 overs, maintaining precise line and length to dismiss Essex for 412 in their second innings after they closed the previous day on 314 for 3. Notable Essex batsmen Charlie Allison and Matt Critchley were dismissed for 114 and 94 respectively.
Somerset then chased down a target of 102 comfortably by 3.45pm, reaching 102 for 2 in 19.2 overs. Tom Lammonby remained not out on 39, while Josh Thomas contributed 31 runs.
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This victory earned Somerset 22 points and moved them to within two points of Division One leaders Nottinghamshire.
Reflecting on the win, Leach said: “We were a bit frustrated after yesterday as things didn’t go our way, but this morning head coach Jason Kerr reminded us that Essex were essentially 3 down for 3 runs, and we took the game from there. It’s the team performance that counts, and beating a strong side like Essex gives us great confidence.
“The Championship race is wide open and there is a lot of excitement in the dressing room because we know what winning a first-ever title would mean for us and our supporters. We are definitely in with a chance.
“It was good to see Lewis Gregory bowling today, and although Jake Ball had to leave the field injured, it doesn’t appear to be serious.
“For me personally, it hasn’t been an easy season and I don’t yet feel I’m bowling at my best, but I hope to improve over the final five games.”
Essex director of cricket Chris Silverwood acknowledged Somerset’s quality, stating: “We won day three but lost the other days, so Somerset fully deserved their victory. I stand by our decision to bowl first given the initial conditions, but we simply didn’t bowl well enough on day one.
“Our attack is experienced, and there are no excuses. On the second morning, we bowled better but were already behind. At this level, if you don’t perform consistently, teams like Somerset will capitalise. We were not at our best this match.”
Somerset’s next County Championship fixture will be away at Sussex, beginning in Hove on Thursday. Meanwhile, third-placed Warwickshire will face leaders Nottinghamshire at Edgbaston later this week.