Cricket

Somerset County Cricket Club has appointed Trevor Griffin as the inaugural head coach of their newly established women's team. Griffin, a highly experienced coach with a proven track record of success, has signed a two-year deal with the club.Griffin's coaching journey began with the Devon Cricket Board and Chance to Shine, before he joined the University of Exeter as a cricket development officer. He then worked for Canterbury Cricket in New Zealand before returning to England to take up the role of analyst and assistant coach at Western Storm.In 2017, Griffin was promoted to head coach of Western Storm, leading the team to two Kia Super League titles in 2017 and 2019. He subsequently coached Sunrisers and London Spirit in The Hundred, and also had a successful four-season spell in charge of Sydney Thunder in the WBBL.Griffin's appointment marks a significant step in Somerset's commitment to developing women's cricket in the southwest region. The club has a long history of supporting women's cricket, and Griffin's expertise and experience will be invaluable in building a competitive team that can challenge for top honors."I'm absolutely thrilled to be the first Head Coach of Somerset Women," said Griffin. "Women's cricket is growing rapidly, and I'm excited to lead this team into a new era. We have a great opportunity to build on the strong foundations that have been laid in the southwest, and I'm confident that we can create a team that will inspire the next generation of players."Somerset director of cricket, Andy Hurry, said: "Trevor is a highly respected coach with a wealth of experience. He has a deep understanding of the women's game and a proven ability to develop players and teams. We are delighted to have him on board, and we believe he is the ideal person to lead our women's team into the future."Griffin will oversee the reintegration of women's cricket into the county game at Taunton, working closely with the club's staff and players to build a squad that can compete at the highest level.

Michael Vaughan's son, Archie, has made a remarkable debut in the County Championship Division One for Somerset, claiming an impressive six-wicket haul against Surrey. The 18-year-old's victims included England Test players Rory Burns and Ben Foakes, showcasing his exceptional talent and potential.Archie's performance was lauded by cricket enthusiasts on social media, with the England Barmy Army tweeting, "Just the SIX wickets for 18-year-old Archie Vaughan. Outstanding!" Somerset Cricket also praised the young bowler, highlighting his 37 overs, seven maidens, and 102 runs conceded.Archie's six-wicket haul is a testament to his skill and determination. He is considered one of the top young prospects in England and was recently named in the U-19 squad for an upcoming series. His performance against Surrey further solidifies his status as a rising star in the cricketing world.Meanwhile, former England captain Michael Vaughan has expressed his disappointment with the England Test team's performance in the third Test against Sri Lanka. Vaughan criticized the team's approach, stating that they "disrespected Test cricket and Sri Lanka" by being overly aggressive.Vaughan believes that England's complacency after winning the first two Tests led to their downfall. He emphasized that the team's style of play, known as "Bazball," was not effective against a determined Sri Lankan side.Vaughan warned that England's current approach will not be successful against stronger opponents like Australia and India. He urged the team to learn from their mistakes and adopt a more balanced and disciplined approach in future matches.

Archie Vaughan, the son of former England captain Michael Vaughan, has taken a significant step in his cricketing career by signing his first professional contract with Somerset. The 18-year-old, a promising top-order batter and offspinner, has been a part of Somerset's academy since 2020.Vaughan's journey to professional cricket began at Millfield School, where he honed his skills from the age of 15. His talent and dedication caught the attention of Somerset, and he made his debut for their second team in 2022. He also plays club cricket for Taunton St Andrews.During Somerset's pre-season tour of the UAE, Vaughan impressed with his performances. He played against Yorkshire, the county of his father, in the third-place play-off of the Abu Dhabi T20 Counties Super Cup, scoring a valuable 35 off 28 balls in a three-wicket win.Vaughan's contract with Somerset will commence on November 1 and will initially run until the end of the 2026 season. He is eager to make the most of this opportunity and learn from the experienced players in the dressing room."It's something that I've worked extremely hard for and it's something that I've strived for since I was a kid," Vaughan said. "To get the opportunity for a club where I've really enjoyed myself over the last few years is an honor."Somerset's director of cricket, Andy Hurry, praised Vaughan's work ethic and potential. "Archie is a young man with a bright future ahead of him," Hurry said. "Since joining the academy, he has demonstrated a genuine and strong desire to work incredibly hard and improve every facet of his game."Vaughan's signing adds to the growing list of children of former England players who are making their mark in domestic cricket. Andrew Flintoff's sons, Rocky and Corey, are part of the Lancashire set-up, while Josh de Caires, son of Michael Atherton, is a first-team player for Middlesex.

Kent's resilience was on full display at Taunton as they fought back valiantly against Somerset in the Vitality County Championship First Division match. After being bowled out for 178 in their first innings, Kent's openers, Zak Crawley and Ben Compton, put together a formidable partnership of 194 runs in the second innings.Crawley, who had struggled for form this season, returned to his best with a magnificent double century. The England opener faced 267 balls, hitting 31 fours and four sixes in his 238-run knock. Compton also played a crucial role, scoring 65 runs before being dismissed by Matt Renshaw.Kent's skipper, Daniel Bell-Drummond, contributed 62 runs, while Marcus O'Riordan and Nathan Gilchrist remained unbeaten at the crease. Despite losing Crawley and Bell-Drummond in the final session, Kent managed to extend their lead to 33 runs at stumps, giving them a glimmer of hope for a draw.Somerset's bowlers, led by Craig Overton and Migael Pretorius, had a productive first innings, claiming three wickets each. However, they were unable to maintain the same intensity in the second innings as Crawley and Compton dominated the proceedings.The match is poised for an exciting finish on day four, with Kent needing to bat out the day to secure a draw. Somerset, on the other hand, will be looking to take early wickets and force a result.

Surrey's Gus Atkinson made a significant impact on his return to competitive cricket, claiming three crucial wickets to help his team fight back against Somerset. After a quiet start to the season, Atkinson's performance showcased his potential as a rising star in English cricket.Atkinson's first spell was slightly underwhelming, but he found his rhythm in his third spell, dismissing Tom Banton and James Rew in quick succession. His third wicket, that of Kasey Aldridge, was a sharp short ball that ballooned to slip. Atkinson's pace and accuracy proved too much for Somerset's middle order, which collapsed after the dismissal of Tom Lammonby for 100.Lammonby's century was a highlight for Somerset, but his dismissal triggered a collapse that saw the visitors lose six wickets for 15 runs. Lewis Gregory's 50 helped Somerset reach 285, but Surrey's openers, Dom Sibley and Ryan Patel, reduced the deficit to 243 runs by the close of play.Atkinson's performance has reignited discussions about his potential for England selection. Rob Key, England's managing director, has identified him as one of the young seamers who could strengthen the Test team. Atkinson's name is also being mentioned for the T20 World Cup, but he may be kept in reserve until the Test summer begins in July.Surrey's fightback was also aided by the legspin of Cameron Steel, who took four wickets, including that of Craig Overton. Steel's nine wickets this season have come at an impressive average of 8.33.