Ben Green, so close but yet so far

SAM DALLING AT TAUNTON: Green smashed 157 off just 84 deliveries, including 12 sixes, but ended up on the wrong end of a high-scoring thrillere

Taunton: Durham 342, Somerset 333 - Durham win by nine runs

Scorecard

Ben Green sank and stared at the ground. He could barely believe it. Neither could anyone else in the ground.

So close, yet nine runs away. Caught on the boundary, aiming to clear it yet again, to end one of the all-time great knocks in Somerset's 147-year history.

It had taken his side from the brink of embarrassment to the brink of one of the come-from-behind victories that is reminisced upon later as the last ciders are ordered and the pubs kick out. The type which, over the years, vicarious memories become people's own memories and suddenly the number claiming to have borne witness reaches five figures.

"I'm gutted," admitted afterwards after a long-drawn breath. "If only there were 10 more runs out there. It still hasn't hit home. I'm proud of how I played. But gutted not to get the result. I was striking them so well. So, I just went for it."

Green is right to be proud. While lift his head was an effort, the disappointment visible, he gave cricket fans the type of entertainment they yearn for.

The game was done. Finished. Durham were all smiles, thoughts turning to an early exit and a much earlier than planned service station pitstop. Last year's beaten finalists, were, it seemed up and running.

And who can blame them. It had been a dominant performance. They placed their foot on their hosts neck and barely relented. They had posted 342, having been put in, and had Somerset reeling at 195 for 8 with 13.5 overs left.

Green, the home skipper, was at the crease. A chance to boost some confidence. To restore some pride. But little more. "I'm one for saying never say never, but those kinds of situations you are staring down the barrel," he said. "We just said let's try and bat for as long as we can."

^{Green could not have done more to end up on the winning side (Harry Trump/Getty Images)}

He started with a breezy enough but not game altering 45-ball half century. He was handed a lifeline but few thought anything of it.

And then something quite unexpected, quite stunning happened. The members had started to drift out. Green's opposite number Scott Borthwick – having delivered a respectable first stint – returned, this time defending the short leg-side boundary. Four sixes flew into the car park. The Durham laughing and joking stopped, replaced by a hint of concern.

"I managed to get going in one over against the spinner," Green recalls. "That built some momentum. I've probably not struck the ball better than that."

A change of ball was required, the tarmac having taken its toll. Unsurprisingly, Borthwick removed himself and young Oli Gibson was introduced. Again, four sixes, this time consecutive deliveries hoisted over that same short boundary.

The final one saw Green celebrate his first century in professional cricket, coming just 14 balls after he had last acknowledged the crowd's warm applause. Still eight an over required, but there was more than a glimmer.

Another dozen off his next four balls meant Green had taken 66 from his last 15 balls. Pray for those who had already reached the motorway junction, too late to perform a U-turn.

Chris Rushworth returned to break a 97-run ninth-wicket partnership, debutant Alfie Ogborne trying something cute and missing. No blame attached; his contribution in runs was just three, but it was worth far more than that.

Green kept going, belting Stan McAlindon for a trio of boundaries in the 48th. Durham just kept feeding Green's short-ball fetish. Rushworth returned for the penultimate over and Green slapped his 11th and 12th sixes. 'Ben Green's 150 came off 81 balls,' came the call over the public address system. Another boundary; eleven off the last required.

^{Somerset came within 10 runs of a famous win (Harry Trump/Getty Images)}

But Green was at the wrong end. Sonny Baker – suddenly playing understudy having claimed a career-best 6 for 46 in the first innings – scrambled a leg bye. 10 off five. Then the moment that broke hearts. Liam Trevaskis took an excellent low catch at long-on.

Green had 157 all told from 84 deliveries. It was just his ninth List A innings. However many appearances he racks up, it is unlikely he will play a better hand. Only sixth men have made better scores in the format for something; Ian Botham; Marcus Trescothick; Chris Tavare; Roelof van der Merwe, Simon Cook and James Hildreth. Fine company.

One might describe it as a coming-of-age knock. Green is increasingly showing his importance to Somerset, proving another doubter wrong with each passing match. And there are, for not particularly good reason, too many of those.

Plenty have written him off as not up to it. Every red-ball innings he plays, out come the critics. Hold a young player up and tear them down. Here Green silenced plenty.

Sadly, for him, Somerset face an uphill battle to remain even afloat in this competition. Their next top scorer was George Bartlett with 34. Their top order has, thus far, not fired. Contributions are needed from the likes of Steve Davies, Matt Renshaw and James Hildreth, the senior heads in the side.

It meant that even two stunning individual performances – Baker's earlier half-dozen had been an exhibition of pace, swing and sheer determination – left them short.

Durham, despite their late wobble, were largely excellent.  Borthwick looked in superb touch en route to 88 from just 67 balls, while Graham Clark made a more measured 86 from 101. Trevaskis chipped in with 44, while three others passed 20. Then Rushworth picked up 3 for 58, his figures dented by 19 off his last, while Trevaskis was also tidy.

They will wipe the sweat off and smile again. Because after a miserable few months, the Blaydon Races rang out once more.

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