Rewind: Somerset v Warwickshire, 2009

Ian Bell and James Hildreth show their class It’s not often a spectacular Ian Bell century is overshadowed, especially in County Cricket. But that was the case when the Bears headed down the M5 to tak

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2023-04-05T15:55:30.000Z

Ian Bell and James Hildreth show their class

It’s not often a spectacular Ian Bell century is overshadowed, especially in County Cricket.

But that was the case when the Bears headed down the M5 to take on Somerset in the season curtain raiser of 2009. Promoted the year prior, following an unbeaten campaign of 16 matches, the Bears were buoyed by the inclusion of Bell and Jonathan Trott.

Trott, who would get the dreaded first baller on the opening day, would go on to make his England Test debut later that summer after a stellar season (1,207 runs, 80.46 average), but it was Bell, the heartbeat of England’s middle order, who would start the year in fantastic style.

Put in, Bears were 12 for one when a 27-year-old Belly walked to crease and 361 for five when he departed (c Kieswetter b Phillips). A masterclass of batting, Belly struck 172 (25 fours) from 272 balls, ensuring his side reached 500 with half-century support from Jim Troughton, Chris Woakes and Tim Ambrose.

A mammoth total to start the season, the hosts deflated any Bears' optimism of leaving Taunton with a bagful of points.

Marcus Trescothick (52) and Justin Lander (76) set the tone, before James Hildreth (303 not out, 338 balls, 34 fours, 4 sixes) and Craig Kieswetter (150 runs, 238 balls)- his maiden First Class century - put on 318 to reach 672 for dec.

Whilst the total turned out to be the third-highest score of the year, Hildreth’s innings was the highest that year and a career-best.

And whilst the Bears would leave the South West content with ten points and a draw, it was the paying members of the public with the smiles after witnessing two county greats showing their class.