Abell, Banton Guide Somerset to Safe Draw at Trent Bridge

Somerset held their nerve to secure a draw against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge, thanks to a composed half-century from Tom Abell and a gritty unbeaten 43 from Tom Banton on the final day of their County Championship Division One clash.

The result dents the title hopes of both sides, with leaders Surrey now nine points clear at the top following their win over Durham earlier in the week. Notably, Surrey still have to face Nottinghamshire at The Kia Oval next month in a potential title decider.

After a largely sedate first three days, Nottinghamshire's hopes of forcing a win briefly flickered to life on the fourth morning. They were bowled out for 544, with Haseeb Hameed’s masterful 208 the highlight, but Somerset quickly regained composure in their second innings to end on 200 for 5, 94 runs ahead, when both captains agreed to settle for the draw shortly after 4:50 pm.

Nottinghamshire resumed the final day on 510 for 6 with a lead of 73, but their hopes of extending that advantage quickly faded. The last four wickets fell inside 40 minutes as Jake Ball—playing against his former county—finished with 3 for 76. Josh Davey and Ball mopped up the tail efficiently, setting up a final-day scenario with Somerset needing to bat for at least 85 overs to save the match.

Somerset lost openers Josh Davey and Lewis Gregory in quick succession before lunch, slipping to 32 for 2. Davey was caught at second slip off Dillon Pennington, while Gregory edged behind off Mohammad Abbas.

Tom Lammonby and James Rew appeared to steady the innings with a brisk 68-run partnership at nearly a run a ball, but Calvin Harrison’s leg-spin reignited Nottinghamshire’s hopes. Bowling into the rough outside off-stump, Harrison dismissed both left-handers in quick succession—clean bowling Lammonby before Rew was caught at short leg after one popped off the surface.

At 113 for 4, Somerset were still trailing, but Abell and Banton combined in a crucial 87-run stand to take the sting out of the contest. Abell, who had already scored a fine 156 in the first innings, reached his half-century with calm authority before falling to Harrison late in the day, caught behind for 51.

Despite that late breakthrough, Banton stood firm, ending unbeaten on 43 as Somerset safely batted out time.

Earlier in the match, the flat pitch and Kookaburra ball had made for slow-going cricket. Nottinghamshire batted a marathon 151 overs in their first innings, scoring 544 with contributions from Lyndon James (72), Jack Haynes (70), and Liam Patterson-White (47). Rew (166) and Abell (156) had responded brilliantly in Somerset’s first-innings total of 438, while Abbas claimed 3 for 60.

The draw sees Somerset hold third place, but with both sides losing ground on table-toppers Surrey, who continue their march toward a potential fourth straight Championship crown.

Final Scores:
Nottinghamshire: 544 (Hameed 208, James 72, Haynes 70; Ball 3-76)
Somerset: 438 (Rew 166, Abell 156; Abbas 3-60) & 200/5 (Abell 51, Banton 43*; Harrison 3-57)
Result: Match drawn