Buttler's big show: Remembering the last time Somerset reached a Lord's final

THOMAS BLOW: Persistent rain, boundaries from Jos Buttler, a batting masterclass from Rory Hamilton-Brown… the 2011 CB40 final was a game to remember

On Saturday, Somerset return to the big stage after eight years away as they face Hampshire for the first silverware of the season.

A lot has changed since the Cider Boys last graced the hallowed turf in a final against Surrey – and I’m not just talking about David Warner’s new beard. 

The domestic cup competition was 40 overs a side, the final was played in September and not May, and Marcus Trescothick was just a nipper at 35 years young.

But one thing that hasn’t changed is Peter Trego’s commitment to Somerset. At 37, the allrounder is gearing up to play in yet another big game, however, he doesn’t recall much about the 2011 defeat.

“I don’t remember too much about it to be honest,” says Trego. “That may be my defence mechanism forgetting about it, because obviously, losing a Lord’s final is a pretty gutting thing to go through. I can’t remember who got the runs or anything specific.”

Although Trego’s memory is quite hazy, Steve Kirby, who batted alongside a very special talent that day, recollects much more.

“I remember batting number 11 with Jos Buttler,” says Kirby, who is now the assistant and bowling coach at Derbyshire. “Even at a young age, when Jos was coming through, it obvious to me that he was going to be pretty special.

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“He took complete control. I was pretty nervous going out there. I was able to block out five or six balls from Yasir Arafat and he just went to town really and gave us a total which we could bowl at. I don’t know how many runs he got in total, but he played really well.”

Buttler was just one of the many talents brought through by Somerset at the beginning of the decade. Lewis Gregory, Craig Meschede, Jack Leach, and the Overton twins also emerged around this time.

“It was a true testament to the way Somerset go about their business,” adds Kirby. “Jason Kerr, who is head coach there now, was academy director at the time and all the players that are coming through and doing well were guided through by Jason and Andy Hurry, who is now the director of cricket.”

Buttler’s eye-catching innings had given Somerset hope. His 86 off 72 got them from 146 for 7 to 214 all out. Kirby, Trego and the rest of the attack now had something to defend. 

“In realistic terms we were probably 30 or 40 short in the game, especially on that pitch,” adds Kirby. “We knew we had to bowl well, we had to field well, because we were so under par with the score, and it was obvious we had to punch above our weight to try and defend that.”

And Somerset did start well. Kirby dismissed England’s Steven Davies and a young Jason Roy to leave their opponents struggling on 35 for two.

^{Trego has tried to block out the event of the Lord's final}

But just as things started to swing in their favour, rain intervened. When it finally stopped, Surrey captain Rory Hamilton-Brown produced a match-winning knock of 78 off 62.

“We were really confident when we went out with the ball,” says Kirby. “But they just got a good partnership, and then when you’re down to less than four or five an over at that point, it was sort of a counter for them. We really had to go for them and they just pressed the accelerator.”

In the end, Surrey eased home to win with 15 balls remaining. The result signalled back-to-back defeats for Somerset in Lord’s finals as they lost to Warwickshire the year before. They also lost three consecutive finals in the Twenty20 Cup.

“We had all basis ticked in terms of the team,” says Trego. “We had power up top with Tres and Kieswetter, had a really good middle order with myself, Zander de Bruyn [who left for Surrey ahead of the 2011 season], Jos. We had that sort of firepower all the way down the end.

“And the bowling attack, in particular, led by Alfonso Thomas – who was a master of death bowling at that sort of stage in his career. We had the team to beat anyone, and unfortunately, it just didn’t go well for us in finals.”

Despite suffering five final defeats in three years, Somerset have continued to get better and better.

They’ve been runners-up three times in the County Championship, and this year they sit top of Division One after an unbeaten start to the season. They also recorded huge wins over Worcestershire and Nottinghamshire to progress to the cup final.

But can they win a Lord’s final for the first time since 2001 on Saturday? 

^{Buttler was the big-ticket item on show}

“I don’t believe in form in finals, it’s just purely the team who turns up on the day,” says Trego. “There’re so many things that go on before a final – the pressure, the media, interviews like I’m doing now with you!

“I suppose a few days out from a final you start thinking about the game, probably a little bit more than you should do. I try and set my mind to try and block out a lot of those things and be consistent as I can be on the day.

“I know people say you got to just take it like any other game, but I think people who say that haven’t played in a big final.”

While Trego has to stay focused, Kirby can relax and enjoy the match as a fan. “I do fancy their chances,” says Kirby. “I think they’re really strong in all aspects – bat, ball and in the field – they’re very dynamic.

“I’m going up there myself on Saturday to watch and I’ll be saying my prayers for them. They’re a cracking team with some great lads and led very well with Jason and Andy. I do hope that they do well.

“I’ve got everything crossed for them at the weekend. There still great friends of mine and I just hope they get over the line.”

With Hampshire missing England duo Liam Dawson and James Vince for the final, Somerset are favourites to win the eagerly awaited contest. 

And who knows, if their start to the season is anything to go by, Saturday may just be the start of a golden season for the Cider Boys.

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