Private Blog Network – Ben Slater produced a composed and crucial century to lead Nottinghamshire’s reply on day two of their County Championship clash with Somerset. His unbeaten 116 anchored Notts to 214-3 at stumps in response to Somerset’s strong first-innings total of 379 at a sun-drenched Taunton.
Somerset began the day on 275-6 and stretched their total with valuable contributions from Tom Banton and Matt Henry. Banton resumed on 57 and made 84 from 176 deliveries, featuring eight fours during his patient stay at the crease. Matt Henry added a quickfire 41 off just 29 balls, including three sixes and four boundaries, injecting late momentum into the innings.
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Banton shared an eighth-wicket partnership of 44 with Craig Overton before the latter fell lbw to Brett Hutton. Banton’s resistance ended when he mistimed a reverse sweep off Liam Patterson-White and picked out Mohammad Abbas at backward point. The innings concluded with a lively last-wicket stand of 39 between Henry and Jack Leach. Leach contributed six before falling to Farhan Ahmed. Despite disciplined bowling from Nottinghamshire, both sides settled for two batting bonus points. Somerset’s effort looked competitive, especially under testing temperatures.
Patient Slater Hundred Keeps Nottinghamshire in the Contest
Nottinghamshire faced a short but tense three-over session before lunch and reached 15 without loss. After the break, the Somerset bowlers kept the pressure on but lacked reward. Haseeb Hameed was the first to go, edging Matt Henry behind to James Rew for 19. Slater then began to assert control. He reached his half-century from 62 balls and went on to compile a masterclass in patience and placement. Supported by Freddie McCann, who contributed 29, Slater added 66 for the second wicket before McCann fell to off-spinner Archie Vaughan.
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Joe Clarke’s aggressive approach was short-lived. He was dismissed for 18, edging a wide delivery from Leach to Craig Overton at slip. Jack Haynes then survived a huge appeal on his first ball but settled alongside Slater to rebuild. Slater’s century came with a square cut for two off Vaughan. He reached the milestone from 171 balls with 14 boundaries. It marked his 15th first-class century and was a model of composure in testing conditions.
By the end of play, Slater and Haynes had put on an unbroken stand of 71, with Haynes unbeaten on 34. Nottinghamshire closed the day trailing by 165 runs, but Slater’s innings ensured they remained firmly in the contest. As temperatures soared, both sides showed resilience. Nottinghamshire now have a platform to potentially level or surpass Somerset’s total and apply pressure in the later stages of the match.