Tom Kohler-Cadmore is confident Yorkshire can depart Taunton with a positive result tomorrow.
The day three centurion has spoken positively about the county’s chances of repelling a Somerset victory pursuit on day four, even opening up the prospect of them completely turning the tables towards the end of this LV= Insurance County Championship fixture.
Kohler-Cadmore completed a fine 100 before lunch on day three as Yorkshire replied to Somerset’s first-innings 424 with 276, only just avoiding the follow-on.
Somerset then closed the day on 225-6 in their second innings, advancing their lead to 373 thanks largely to George Bartlett’s unbeaten 88.
“In the last session, we brought it back because we could have had a tricky five, six-over spell, which wouldn’t have been ideal for the openers,” he said.
“As a bowling team, that’s what you want – five overs with the new ball to put the opposition under pressure.
“But the way Bessy bowled tonight, Tommo, Waitey and Shutty as well, they all dragged it back to at least give us a chance tomorrow.
“It’s a good pitch, and we’re still in the game with that. If they had got to 400-420, it’s a long way off had we lost an early one. Hopefully we’ll be in an ok position tomorrow.
“I think we’re even a chance of chasing it if they declare now.
“There’s a small side (boundary), and it’s three or four an over. Get to tea-time in a good position and you never know. Hopefully we can make the last session a great spectacle to watch.”
Bartlett’s score is important when assessing where this game is heading. Here is a young player out of contract in a few months and without a century this year.
It may be that Somerset bat on to get him to a hundred tomorrow.
“That was why we brought the field in at the end, to try and stop him getting there tonight,” said Kohler-Cadmore, who went on to reflect on his own performance.
“Even if they come out and he gets it first over tomorrow, it’s three overs off the end target with the change of innings.”
“It was annoying to get out straight after the hundred, but it’s one of those things. He (Matt Renshaw) trapped me on the crease, hit me on the shin and I think it’s the only lbw I’ve ever walked for,” he smiled.
“We got past the follow-on, which is the main thing. We can take it deep tomorrow. If we bat well tomorrow, we’re still a chance of winning.”
This of course is Kohler-Cadmore’s first Championship game of the season following concussion.
“I’m ok,” he said. “I have to stay on top of things and keep managing it. But Ed (Owen, physio) has been great in helping me through this get let alone the rest of the season.”
And it has come against the team he will play for next season. But, first, there are four more Championship games to play after this one.
“My main focus now is scoring as many runs as I can for the lads and hopefully to finish on a high with Yorkshire,” he added. “I love all the boys, and I want to give my all to ensure they’re in a good place come the end of the season.”
