Rookie Tom looking to round it off in fine style

Treating every high-stakes game like just another match and having fun has been the key to Somerset youngster Tom Lammonby’s breakthrough summer.

The 20-year-old showed huge maturity belying his years in scoring back to back hundreds to help book Somerset a place in next week’s Bob Willis Trophy final at Lord’s.

He scored his maiden first-class ton as Somerset set up a declaration against west country rivals Gloucestershire. His second came in a tense must-win game against Worcestershire with wickets falling regularly at the other end.

The former England Under 19 and Devon batsman was asked to take the unfamiliar opener’s role this year but was thrilled to get the opportunity just to play.

“Opening the batting is a new and different challenge for me, one I’ve really enjoyed,” Lammonby told TCP. “It started out with being able to fit into the team where there were gaps available.

“Head coach Jason Kerr came up to me the day before my first-class debut and said, ‘you’re opening the batting, good luck this week’ and gave me a few words of advice. So, that was quite a nerve-wracking morning but obviously a dream come true to make my Somerset debut.”

The youngster also sought guidance from another left-handed Somerset opener, the legendary Marcus Trescothick, who has been working as a batting coach with the county and England.

“Having Tres there, as one of the best players in the world and as a left-hander, he’s just been invaluable as a coach helping me.”

Feeling in good touch after a couple of decent starts this summer, Lammonby focused on staying level-headed, intent on converting his next innings into a match-winning knock.

It came in his fourth game against Gloucestershire at Taunton where he hit 101* in a mammoth unbroken 211-run partnership with skipper Tom Abell as Somerset piled on the pressure.

“Having Tom at the other end made it almost so relaxing for me. The way he scored freely and told me to just play around him, play my usual way, helped me a lot.

“It speaks volumes about him as a person and as a captain. He leads by example. To have him at the other end definitely helped my confidence that day.”

Able to smash the ball to all parts in T20 cricket, Lammonby showcased his ability to bat long periods in his next match against Worcestershire, Somerset’s challengers for a Lord’s berth. Despite a Somerset collapse, he carried his bat, scoring 107* in five hours, building partnerships with the lower order and carving out an invaluable lead.

“It was a bit like a semi-final. Batting wise they made it very difficult for us to score on that third morning where the game was in the balance. It could have gone either way.

“Tom gave me the responsibility to work a winning score for the team. I didn’t think about it too much. It was almost trying to stick to the things I'd done well throughout the year and think of it as just another cricket game rather than a knockout game, try and have fun. Then it was taking it in partnerships of 10 runs. It was just an amazing feeling just to get over that line.”

Lammonby has never played at Lord’s but recalls the ‘great experience’ watching his teammates win the One Day Cup last year.

“There are a couple of others like me who haven’t played at Lord’s. I’m sure they’ll be relishing the opportunity. There’s a sense of excitement around the camp and we’re looking forward to a good week of hopefully challenging cricket.

“We'll just look at it as another game. The way we’ve performed this year, our bowling has been phenomenal. We’ll stick to the things we've been doing really well this year and hopefully we can get a win.”