A heroic final-day rearguard, headlined by a captain’s century from Club Captain Brett D’Oliveira and an extraordinary unbeaten knock from Matthew Waite, saw Worcestershire salvage an unlikely yet richly deserved draw against Somerset in a gripping Rothesay County Championship encounter at Taunton.
Facing the daunting task of surviving an entire day with five second-innings wickets remaining and still trailing by 236 runs, the visitors produced a display of immense resilience, composure and character to close on 485 for nine and deny Somerset what had seemed a certain victory.
Beginning the final day on 280 for five, Worcestershire’s hopes rested on a mix of defiance and discipline. The early loss of nightwatchman Adam Finch, bowled by Kasey Aldridge for 8, might have unsettled some sides, but it proved to be Somerset’s only breakthrough of the session.
D’Oliveira, resuming on 80, and Waite, beginning the day on 6, played with watchful control. The pitch, typically flat on a fourth day at the Cooper Associates County Ground, offered little for the seamers or spinners under cloudless skies, but the pair’s application was faultless. They negotiated probing spells from Aldridge and young off-spinner Archie Vaughan with calm assurance.
By lunch, Worcestershire had progressed to 337 for six, with D’Oliveira poised on 99 and Waite having moved to a steady 22. Their unbroken partnership was growing in belief, and importance, with every over.
Soon after the interval, D’Oliveira reached his 13th first-class century, one of the most significant of his career, with a beautifully timed off-drive for four off Aldridge. The landmark came from 258 balls and included 12 boundaries.
With the Worcestershire skipper continuing to provide an impenetrable presence, Waite too grew in stature, raising his half-century from 195 deliveries, showing grit and clarity in his shot selection.
As the afternoon wore on, Somerset threw everything they had into the contest. Fielders surrounded the bat. Spinners bowled over after over in search of the breakthrough. But the pair looked unmovable, frustrating the hosts who had spent the previous two days dominating the match.
Eventually, Somerset got the wicket they so desperately needed. D’Oliveira, having batted over five and a half hours, was adjudged lbw to Vaughan after shouldering arms to a sharply turning delivery, a rare lapse in an otherwise exemplary knock of 121 from 340 balls with 14 boundaries.
The celebrations from Somerset reflected their relief more than joy – and with a third new ball imminent, they sensed opportunity. At tea, Worcestershire were 415 for seven, still trailing by 101, with Waite unbeaten on 58.
After tea, Somerset took the new ball immediately, and Craig Overton struck in the fifth over of the session. Ben Allison, who had provided solid support, fended a rising delivery to short mid-wicket and departed for 22.
Still, Worcestershire refused to fold. Tom Taylor knuckled down with Waite as the final hour approached. The field closed in once more, Vaughan and Jack Leach bowling in tandem with men under the helmet, at slip, and round the bat.
Eventually, Leach, on a momentous personal day, claimed the ninth wicket, having Taylor caught at second slip by Overton for a dogged 12 off 68 balls. It was Leach’s 500th first-class wicket, a superb achievement for the England spinner.
But even with the crowd roaring and close fielders swarming, Somerset couldn’t find a way past Waite – nor 22-year-old Tom Hinley, who produced a nerveless display in only his third Championship appearance. The pair survived the final 8.3 overs, with Hinley facing 44 deliveries for his unbeaten 5, ensuring Worcestershire left Taunton with a share of the spoils.
While Somerset will rue a missed opportunity to convert their dominance into victory, Worcestershire can take huge credit and confidence from the way they responded to adversity. The draw was forged through mental toughness and leadership, symbolised by D’Oliveira’s epic effort and Waite’s unyielding presence.
