Cricket: Scotland batsmen let win slip away against Somerset

Having dismissed their hosts for 206, the Scots would surely have sauntered to the target had they made a solid start with the bat. Instead a flurry of early wickets left them with too much to do and allowed Somerset to cruise to a 60-run victory – their first win of the campaign.

Josh Davey, who starred with the ball, could count himself slightly unlucky when he middled the second ball of the innings off Alfonso Thomas only to see Max Waller pouch an instinctive catch inches off the ground at short cover. However, his dismissal before a run had been scored was sufficient to spark a collective dose of the wobbles from which no Saltires batsman appeared immune.

Jan Stander’s frantic pinch-hitting role lasted just a few balls before he was trapped in front by Thomas while Calum  MacLeod could not repeat the heroics that saw him score 99 against Canada last week.

The Uddingston player had managed three boundaries in his 15 but had also been dropped by George Dockrell who made amends when a second opportunity came his way, MacLeod spooning Jamie Overton to mid-wicket.

Jean Symes may not have had any top flight action for more than a month but his top-edge off Overton was a shot he will reflect on with little pleasure, leaving the Scots teetering on 31-4.

There was some respite when Richie Berrington and stand-in captain Preston Mommsen came together. However, just when a meaningful partnership was developing, Mommsen swung across the line and was bowled by Craig Meschede.

Berrington went on to top-score with 40 before he also fell to Somerset’s unlikely bowling hero Meschede who finished with a career-best 4-27. Ryan Flannigan remained unbeaten on 30 but Scotland’s tally of 146 – all out in just 31.4 overs – was a huge disappointment especially after a splendid display in the field.

Craig Kieswetter and Nick Compton came out with all guns blazing to spark worrying reminders of Scotland’s last visit to this ground when Somerset scored in excess of 400

Kieswetter, who could have worn the Saltire on account of his Scottish mother had the ICC changed their qualification rules before he was snapped-up by England, led the way with a couple of leg-side boundaries off Gordon Goudie. He then walloped a huge six over long on as Ali Evans also came in for some heavy punishment.

However, Mommsen’s decision to introduce Symes and Davey paid off as they hepled to stem the flow with Davey securing a double-wicket maiden which accounted for Compton and Peter Trego.

Scotland were further boosted when Goudie’s comeback over yielded Kieswetter lbw with the England player having made made 56 from just 53 balls.

However, James Hildreth and Jos Buttler steadied the county ship with a half-century stand, Buttler eventually being bowled by Symes on 32.

Haq then became Scotland’s second leading wicket-taker of all time, trapping Craig Meschede in front before producing a carbon copy to remove Gregory.

Symes then claimed a deserved third wicket with a delivery that out-foxed Thomas and Davey provided a final flourish: first running out Max Waller with a direct hit and then bowling Jamie Overton.