Pratt and Peng blast Somerset in opening victory

By Jon Steer
April 28 2003

After a disappointing showing by the youngsters in the championship game, Gary Pratt and Nicky Peng made amends by taking apart the Somerset attack. South African, Dewalt Pretorius also took four wickets on his Durham debut.

The match started well when Jon Lewis won the toss again for Durham and elected to field.

There are a few changes to the teams from the championship matches. Pretorius makes his debut for Durham while Somerset rest Johnson and MacLean who did so much damage to Durham during the week.

The international pairing of Srinath and Pretorius open the bowling with Pretorius taking the wicket of Burns in his first over. Despite the early loss Somerset score at a good rate with Trescothick looking in good form, bringing the 50 up in little over 9 overs.

Harmison and Killen take a wicket each as Somerset moved to 72-3 but another good partnership takes the score along well until Wells strikes by taking Trescothick and Parsons in quick succession.

The return of Pretorius to the attack brings the run rate down a touch and as wickets fall regularly there is no great acceleration at the end of the innings. Somerset finish on 233-9 with Pretorius returning figures of 9-1-31-4 in his Durham debut.

After batting disappointments in the championship match it was a good enough total to worry Durham supporters although perhaps not as high as it could have been.

When Andrew took the wickets of Gough and Wells to leave us at 25-2 we were looking very vulnerable. Peng batting at number one had already played a few good shots so we could hope for better things from him and he was joined by Gary Pratt who also looked like he had something to prove.

The young pair were soon hitting the Somerset attack all round the wicket with Peng moving to 50 off 51 balls. With the score on 122-2 after just 17 overs the players go off as rain stops play. And we are all hoping that play will restart as to have the match abandoned in such a good position would be terrible!

After losing five overs of play the new target is 215 from 40 overs, not a significant change so on we go.

Pratt moves to his 50 in just 37 balls, the fastest one day 50 for a Durham one day player. With the game looking safe, the only question now is who will reach their century first! The two put on a stand of 164 before Peng is bowled by Dutch for 92.

Pratt completes his century off just 79 balls. Just before Jon Lewis hits the winning runs to complete a great victory and start the NCL campaign in fine style. Rolls on the Saltires next Sunday...