Ben Stokes made an impact with four wickets, restricting Somerset to 171/All out. However, it was the right-handed David Bedingham who stole the show, remaining unbeaten with a century. Despite Craig Overton’s four wickets, Durham closed the day at 177-6, six runs ahead of Sussex. Migael Pretorius also contributed with his second fifty of the season before being replaced by Jake Ball due to a concussion.
Ben Stokes and Bedingham boom in the match against Somerset
Ben Stokes settled the score at four wickets to concede 171/All out for Somerset, and then the right-handed Bedingham rose to the occasion with an unbeaten ton on the first day of the Division One contest on an overcast Riverside.
Having been bowled on grass, Somerset was on the back foot for the majority of the game. But Migael Pretorius, who was changed by Jake Ball due to concussion, was celebrating his second fifty of the season, which left Craig Overton’s four wickets dismantling the hosts and leaving them at a vulnerable 19-3.
Ball was able to take three wickets in the last twenty minutes extracting the wickets of Ben Stokes and Ollie Robinson before Bedingham reached a century and closed off the day and Durham at 177-6, six legs ahead of Sussex with four wickets in hand.
Rayudu opted to bowl, and this was proved right as the two Nottinghamshire opening batsmen, Tom Abell, got out for four, and Matt Renshaw was dismissed for a mere five runs bowling by Ben Stokes. Lammonby next got Stokes, who he affected for 22, while Andy Umeed was caught by Peter Siddle on the second slip for nine.
Ben Raine got one through to James Rew, and that was breaching the leg stump when he was on 13. Then, in the very over after lunch, Siddle made it a double joy, two wickets in two balls, and he got rid of Gregory and Craig Overton.
Ben Stoke 3rd innings:
Ben Stokes took his third of the innings when Somerset opener Josh Davey was lbw for 10, while Pretorius was talking back to the second slip on 53 to complete the bowling style of the innings. This was the last of Pretorius’s contributions in the particular match, making way for Ball in the later stage of the game after having been hit on the helmet earlier before the dismissal.
Durham got off to a terrible start after Alex Lees was dismissed for three. He failed to ground his bat while backing up a call from the umpires after Overton appealed. Stokes eventually fell to Ball for 46 and came in to bat without much fuss in reply from Bedingham and Robinson.
England’s Test captain then went without scoring, and the former Nottinghamshire seamer Ball set him lbw before Ball then bowled Graham Clark for one. Right on the close of play, Bedingham went to his fourth successive Championship century off 103 balls, and the day ended with Durham in a better position for the second day.
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Rubass Afnan is a passionate cricket writer whose love for cricket shines through in every word. From match analyses to player profiles, he delivers insightful commentary that resonates with fans worldwide. Stay tuned for the latest from the world of cricket, written by Rubass.
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