I’ve never experienced a feeling anywhere close to it. Undiluted joy in its purest form. You probably are assuming I am referring to the moment Jack Leach got one to straighten to Dan Worrall, leading to the words “he’s done it” oozing from my great friend Harry Everett’s lips Aeons before finger confirmation came?
But no. Unashamedly not. I wasn’t even at Taunton this week. The plan was to be, particularly with a full roster of pals and fellow podcasters all due to attend a potentially history defining game.
But I was delighted to be elsewhere supporting my wonderful wife bring our little girl into the world. Her efforts to deny pain a victory this week went far beyond Tom Banton’s heroics (more on them later) and her labour of love lasted far longer than Shakib Al-Hasan’s time in a Surrey shirt.
This is not the place to cover the ins and outs of my personal life, but the long and short of it is that, after almost 30 hours of contractions, our little Millie arrived by C-Section just before midnight on Day Two.
I have shifted emotional status so swiftly. Initially, I was sat in the corner of a theatre room that was imbued in as much calm as the Hollies Stand on Finals Day. My wife was in agony, desperate for some relief. I could do nothing. I was entirely helpless. Five, maybe ten, minutes passed and a moment I will never forget arrived. Becky and I had our eyes fixed on each other when, from behind a screen, we heard our baby girl give her first ever cry. I have never felt love like it. I have never felt so alive.
To suggest that a game of cricket can match that sensation is folly. But sport can certainly provide memories that live a lengthy life. And that is what the final hour against Surrey will do.
The change in feeling was a similar one to what I had experienced in that hospital. Lewis Gregory was minutes from offering an outstretched hand that would have nodded to inseparability. Just shy of an hour later, Leach was leading a merry charge around the outfield. The handshakes, internally, had become the warmest of embraces, while externally they offered commiseration.
It is rare I get to watch the Somerset live-stream. I have the privilege of talking nonsense down the microphone a fair bit, and if I’m not doing that at HQ, I’m chewing the ears off of another unsuspecting set of fans.
But the 60 minutes before we left the ward clutching our newborn were spent watching Leach and Archie Vaughan twirl away. When that final wicket fell, when the miracle was complete, my wife and I shared another moment of delight. Did I wish I was there? Not really. I was exactly where I needed to be and the beauty of the set-up, of my colleagues on commentary, is that I felt part of it.
Our daughter felt part of it too as I tried (with some success I reckon) to explain the Vaughan lineage and the Leach - Bashir conundrum to her. Whether a 36-hour old should get exposed to the musings of Mr Everett is another question though!
The 20,000 or so others watching on from afar also felt included, as did the swathes taking to social media later to pass comment, to celebrate, to eulogise. Our game, county cricket, is not dead. It is breathing strongly, and the remote accessibility is an elixir to be savoured.
What of the match?
It was a delight to see Tom Banton’s continued evolution into the red-ball cricketer many knew he could be. This is comfortably his best summer in the format – no coincidence that is also the year he has been given a consistent role in the side – and his game is perfectly suited to modern first-class cricket. Watching him reverse sweep Shakib almost from the off was a delight, and his opening day century was well deserved.
Then came the football incident. I’m with Andy Hurry on this one. Injuries can happen any place, any time, any where. If the boys want to play, let them play.
My views are similar on Banton batting while hurt. I’ve seen others argue that it was a poor choice, a negligent one even. I hear them, and I can see their point – although I suspect there was a little bit of fishing for internet attention going on by some.
But is life not one continuous risk assessment exercise? Does endorphin accumulation not require a little speculation? Look, everyone has their tolerance level, and everyone makes decisions with each turn. I am for autonomy and for freedom of informed choice.
If Tom Banton, knowing the risks, decides batting for his team is worth the potential consequences, that is (provided he has capacity) Tom Banton’s decision alone. Similarly, if Tom Banton had decided not to bat, that too should have been Tom Banton’s decision alone, and one with equal merit. I would hope that it would have been respected equally.
Then a word on Leach, Somerset’s Lernaean Hydra. Cut off a cricketing head and Leach grows back two. Doubt him and he makes you look a fool. He has 26 wickets in his last five innings. Peaking at title time, it seems.
And finally, on Vaughan, who took 11 poles (trademark Lewis Gregory) in the match. He had never previously bagged five wickets in an innings, and now he has done so twice. People must remember, as Andy Umeed so wisely put it during his pre-debut cap presentation, that Vaughan is his own man. He is already proving why.
A final word on Surrey, too. Yes, they have cash. Yes, they flex it and the Shakib signing, for several reasons, sits uncomfortably. But Somerset prepared a pitch that has allowed Leach and Vaughan to take 35 of the past 40 visiting red-ball wickets to fall. Two of the other five (coming against Durham) were run outs. Why shouldn’t Surrey do what they can to negate that advantage, then?
It certainly doesn’t help that Surrey are missing an octet of players to a bilateral international series that has been tagged onto late summer. There are scores of good people at Surrey – a fact that should not be forgotten. Although seeing one bag egg made to look foolish was highly entertaining.
For obvious reasons I shall be watching much of the next few weeks from afar. But whatever happens from here, this period is set to be very special. Cherish it. I know I will.
Sam Dalling
Great game, great report and best of all a great new addition to your family. Hearty congratulations on your new arrival.
Congratulations Sam and family, I’m a new subscriber but very much enjoying your musings. I’m assuming you won’t be at finals day else I’d buy you a pint. Enjoy the sleepness nights.