Lammonby-Umeed managed to secure victory over Worcestershire

Tom Lammonby continued his excellent start to the season, playing a pivotal role in Somerset's hard-fought draw against newly promoted Worcestershire at Kidderminster.

Lammonby demonstrated resilience by scoring his third half-century of the season, in addition to his century against champions Surrey. His unbeaten 81 contributed to a run tally for the campaign exceeding 350, and he received valuable support from Andrew Umeed during a pivotal fourth-wicket partnership.

When the two players joined forces, Somerset were still 76 runs in arrears at 66 for 3. They effectively blunted the attack and batted throughout the afternoon session, adding 117 in 39 overs.

Lammonby is particularly adept at facing Worcestershire. In 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, he became Somerset's youngest player at the age of 20 to carry his bat through an innings in a crucial four-day Bob Willis Trophy game at New Road. His efforts here helped seal a fourth successive draw for Somerset and a third in four games for Worcestershire – plus a defeat against Durham – since gaining promotion.

Worcestershire will have a week's break from action before facing Kent at Canterbury. They can take heart from their early season performances. In rain-affected games against Warwickshire and Nottinghamshire, they demonstrated their ability to perform well in adverse conditions, accruing another 15 points in this fixture.

Somerset can also take encouragement from their resilience and application in battling away throughout the final day.

The match resumed on 5 for 1 after Jason Holder removed opener Sean Dickson on Sunday evening. Holder had the opportunity to strike again at the beginning of this morning's session, but Mr. Renshaw survived a chance to second slip before he had scored.

Nightwatcher Jake Ball proved a challenge for Worcestershire during the opening hour and also contributed the majority of the runs. He edged the bowler wide of third slip for four runs but then proceeded to hit a more convincing cover drive to the boundary.

Renshaw opted to contain the attack, and the opening pair added 39 before Adam Finch initiated a breakthrough. Ball did not move to his feet to a delivery that jagged back in and was bowled.

Club captain Brett D'Oliveira assumed the role of bowler shortly before lunch and accounted for Renshaw. The Australian had battled for 77 balls, making 12 runs, before attempting to sweep the leg spinner and being dismissed by a simple catch to Kashif Ali at short leg.

At that juncture, Somerset were still 76 runs in arrears, but Lammonby and Umeed ensured there was no significant loss of wickets.

The focus was on maintaining a defensive stance, with occasional boundary hits to keep the scoring rate at around two runs per over. However, their efforts gradually thwarted Worcestershire's hopes of victory.

Lammonby completed a solid half-century from 126 balls, and an afternoon session produced 73 runs from 28 overs, with no breakthroughs for the home side. Umeed reached his 50th run from 117 deliveries at the start of the final session but was then dismissed by a fine return one-handed reflex catch by Ben Gibbon.