Twice bitten, but thrice? Not shy, as it transpires. Lewis Goldsworthy is having an illuminating summer, both in the colours of Somerset and Leicestershire. He has lit up the One-Day Cup for his full-time employers, having previously provided temporary Grace Road light during the T20.
On Sunday, Goldsworthy was at full beam, piercing the grey cloud in a way even the funkiest of floodlights could not manage. 115 of the landlord’s finest runs, a maiden List A century, and a beautiful knock it was. The etamorphosis is almost complete - the caterpillar with potential has become the butterfly.
Goldsworthy is not a man who courts limelight. When surrounded, post play, by a gaggle of eager photographers and microphone holders, he had the look of a man who simply wanted to be sat in the dressing room with teammates or sharing richly earned embraces with family.
And anyway, few words are required when actions are so loud. Goldsworthy has won many an admirer over the past couple of months, and it has become essential – if it were not already – that Somerset do everything possible to keep him sweet (and contracted).
Goldsworthy’s situation judgment, his ability to apply thumbs onto the tempo button at exactly the right pressure, is exceptional. Plenty present were casting anxious glances in the scoreboard’s direction when the Power Play brought just 42 runs. A similar cohort were a tad bothered when, with a dozen overs remaining, Somerset were 189 for 2.
But following a 131-run partnership with James Rew – a man who is as reliable as the talking clock in this format (in fact, in any format) - came the finale with a flourish.
That was rounded off nicely by Goldsworthy and Ben Green taking 25 runs from the last eight balls of Leicestershire’s bowling innings. That proved the winning margin.
The benefits of the inter-county loan system are well documented. For lender, borrower and – to be crude about it – asset, there is a chance to add value. Perhaps Leicestershire might just have seen the downside of it, though?
Goldsworthy certainly had the measure of those whom he shared a dressing room with last month. And Green, a man blessed with the white-ball wicket bug, too, may have taken a thing or three from his loan spell. His trio of wickets included Ajinkya Rahane. Not quite Au by name, but certainly Green certainly has some precious stuff them there arms.
Kasey Aldridge also deserves a word or three. Having been frugal in his first spell, he had the confidence of skipper Sean Dickson. Brought on to break the crucial partnership between Peter Handscomb and Ben Cox, Aldridge, well, broke it.
In all, Aldridge took 2 for 42, his delighted father living every proud moment from atop the Thatchers Terrace. And when Louis Kimber – Leicestershire’s last remaining victory hope - skied one towards Aldridge at long on, Mr A was sure that the catch would be taken. Kasey drops very few, having had balls chucked in his direction before he could walk.
As well as those name-checked already, just about everyone played their part. Archive Vaughan neither batted nor bowled but was exceptional in the field. His speed of movement and thought saved runs measured with two digits, while Alfie Ogborne, on frequently as sub, chucked himself around in the outfield.
For a while it was tense. Yes, Somerset had runs to tinker with, but Leicestershire were punching back. Yet by just after six, the tension had been replaced with smiles. “We won it yet, or what?” bellowed Tractor from his usual spot following a late boundary. Even a would-have-been Green wicket from a no-ball did little to dampen a spirited crowd.
A crowd that included the likes of Jason Kerr, Tom Abell and Jake Ball. There may have been the briefest of conversations about potential returnees, but it is likely there wasn’t. What has played in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup, continues to play in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup. Better to lose than achieve a hollow victory. Better still, take the wholesome spoils.
A word of commiseration to Handscomb. If ever there was an exhibition in how to remain unflustered and bat with authority, this was it. His third century of the tournament – 111 all in - gave Leicestershire a fighting chance from a near-impossible position.
A further word of commiseration to the Foxes generally. They have been quite superb in this tournament for three summers now and are a credit to county cricket. Likewise, their supporters who travelled in numbers and were vocal. Their belief was unwavering right to the end – proper fandom.
And so, to Trent Bridge then. Not for a while, true. And whatever happens there can be much satisfaction at how this last month has come together. The strides made have been great and purposeful.
As the whole squad enjoyed a game of football an hour or so after the end, they shared laughs, and smiles, and the knowledge that the memories they have already created as a group will last a lifetime. One. More. Game.
Sam Dalling