On This Day: Kev James Takes 8 Wickets To See Hampshire Past Somerset

Hampshire Cricket's historian Dave Allen takes a look back on timely memorable moments in his ‘On This Day’ series.

Kev James (13-93) - Hampshire v Somerset, County Championship: 12th - 14th June 1997

This - the 14th June 1997 - was the third and final day of a Championship match against Somerset at Basingstoke – and a very special day for Kevan James the bowler.

The pitch offered bowlers assistance throughout, so that Hampshire’s apparently disappointing 204 all out (Laney 40) was reached only thanks to a 10th wicket partnership of 41 between Simon Renshaw and Jim Bovill (27) – although top-scorer were extras including 20 no-balls.

The Hampshire score looked healthier with Somerset on 79-6 overnight and they were all out 45 runs behind the next morning with James taking 5-44 (Holloway 73*).

Rose with 5-53 and former Hampshire pace-man Kevin Shine 3-37, then dismissed Hampshire by the close for 189 (Hayden 63), leaving Somerset two days to score 235 to win.

Holloway batting at number three added 59 to his first innings score and Keith Parsons with 74 had Somerset favourites at 175-3, but James with two wickets already, produced the best figures of his career as Somerset fell to 195-7, 207-8, and 219-9.

They needed 16 more runs and Andrew Caddick, who had scored 38 in the first innings was still there, but with Somerset just 10 short of victory, James trapped him and ended with 8-49 (13-93 in the match).

On only 15 occasions have any Hampshire bowlers taken more in a match – the first, 99 years earlier was Harry Baldwin.