TOM Kohler-Cadmore played his best innings since joining Somerset in 2023 when he hit an unbeaten century, his second in as many matches, on the final day of the match against Nottinghamshire to ensure the game ended in a draw and the county stayed in touch with the Championship leaders.

The 30 year old’s first was against Warwickshire at Edgbaston the previous week, another match that ended in a draw .Kohler-Cadmore has only played two championship matches this season as he has been away playing T20 franchise cricket, and opened the innings at Edgbaston, making 104 off 138 balls with 16 fours and two 6s.

His final day innings against Nottinghamshire was in very different circumstances and Kohler-Cadmore knew he had to bat as long as he could to help Somerset draw the game.

After choosing to bat the hosts made 379 in their first innings in reply to which Notts reached 529 all out, Jack Leach taking six for 121.

Facing a deficit of 130 at the start of their second innings, Somerset began the last day four for one wicket. Kohler-Cadmore, starting on nought, began shakily but grew in confidence the longer he stayed at the wicket. After losing Sean Dickson and Tom Lammonby, Somerset found themselves 28 for 3, still needing 103 to make Nottinghamshire bat again.

Kohler-Cadmore was joined by James Rew who helped to add 96 in 24 overs before he was out for 43. He was then joined by Tom Abell who watched on while, at the other end, his partner smote some of the biggest sixes seen at the Cooper Associate County Ground since the redevelopment of the St James Street End.

The largest of his eventual tally of sixes, this one off Farhan Ahmed, bounced off the roof of the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion into the car park behind recalling the exploits of previous big hitters at the club - Chris Gayle, Keiron Pollard and Ian Blackwell.

Kohler Cadmore eventually went to his century with a lofted boundary to wide mid wicket, his runs coming off 138 balls and including seven 4s and three 6s. The big hitter wasn’t done yet and by the end he was unbeaten on 147, his highest for Somerset, from 196 balls with 11 fours and six 6s as the home side ended on 238 for 4 declared. Somerset take 11 points from the drawn which keeps them in fourth place, 23 points behind leaders Surrey.

Kohler-Cadmore said afterwards: “We started off knowing we had to try to bat the day so it’s been very pleasing. I felt scoring runs and putting pressure on them was my best way to play cricket.”

What does he put the fact that he has scored successive centuries down to? “I actually had a conversation with James Rew before the Edgbaston game talking about why he is so good and the way his mentality is, as I seem to get a little bit bored and try to start hitting sixes. I took quite a lot from that conversation about being a bit more ruthless and he has been a huge help with that for me, and hopefully that can continue.”

The Cidermen are next in championship action when they host Durham at Taunton starting on Tuesday, July 22.