We didn’t show enough fight, says Somerset skipper

MOHAMMAD Abbas claimed four wickets as Hampshire humbled visiting Somerset by an innings and 113 runs inside three days of the LV= Insurance County Championship Division One opener.

James Fuller had torn through the top order with a trio of quickfire wickets in a brutal morning spell, before Pakistan international Abbas ripped out the middle-order, taking 4-22.

Hampshire took 23 points as they claimed only their second innings victory over Somerset - who received a single point after being bowled out for 180 and 135 - since 1957.

Realistically, the hosts knew 10 wickets would likely be enough to earn victory on day three at Southampton but a solid opening hour between Ben Green and Tom Lammonby suggested a tough day’s graft was in order. The opening pair put on 50 in considered style, on a pitch proved placid by Hampshire’s 428, before Fuller entered the attack to take three wickets in 22 balls. Green was bowled through the gate, skipper Tom Abell fell lbw trying to work to the legside and Lammonby turned a short ball behind - having twice looked uncomfortable against bouncers.

Kyle Abbott returned for his second spell of the day, only to be flayed for 12 runs in an over by Lewis Goldsworthy, before starting the next over by conceding a boundary to James Hildreth. The South African therefore celebrated when he pegged the first-innings half-century maker’s off stump back.

Hampshire were rampant after lunch. Abbas was Somerset’s main punisher as Steven Davies edged him to second slip, before Roelof van der Merwe departed for a nineball duck.

Keith Barker had Goldsworthy squared up and deflecting to first slip before the left-arm seamer turned catcher at short third man as Ned Leonard impatiently failed with a slog against Liam Dawson’s spin.

Abbas returned again to send Marchant de Lange’s off stump tumbling and secure the victory at 2.40pm.

Somerset’s performance must be put in some context. Seven players were made unavailable before the team travelled, George Bartlett succumbed to a shoulder injury the day before the game and Jack Brooks woke up wiih an illness.

Their inexperience showed in the bowling of 19-year-old Ned Leonard and Kasey Aldridge (21), with some quick, exciting delieveries beset by an understandable lack of consistency. The batting also largely struggled against Abbas, Abbott and Barker.

The good news is Craig Overton, Jack Leach and Jack Davey - who featured for the Second XI against Cornwall on Saturday - are expected to be back for the match against Essex.

Somerset captain Abell said: “It is very disappointing. Coming here we were in a pretty optimistic mood particularly with how pre-season had gone. We expect more from ourselves, particularly with the bat where we haven’t given a good account of ourselves.

“They are a world-class attack and we didn’t have the answers. The most disappointing thing is that we haven’t shown enough backbone or fight.”