TCP VERDICT

Warwicks skipper Ian Bell claimed, with some justification, that the weather robbed his side of a first Championship win of the season.

Only 39 overs were possible because of rain on the first two days, and that was a particular shame because the pitch was lively enough for the seamers to suggest a decisive result would have been obtained.

Somerset elected to play three spinners, but with so much time under the covers, the wicket was never worn enough to offer much turn.

Instead, it rewarded accurate seam bowling. The Overton twins provided a tough test for the Warwickshire batsmen after the visitors had won the toss and a crucial moment came when Jonathan Trott was dropped on 50 by Peter Trego at fourth slip.

Trott went on to be the rock of Warwickshire’s first innings 413, batting with increasing assurance and, unusually for him, hitting three sixes in his 175.

Trescothick and Trego apart, Somerset’s batting displayed the early-season frailty that has contributed to them propping up the First Division table.

Grant Thornton’s windmill action reflected proudly on figures for 4-34 but the most relieved player at the end was probably Somerset’s outof-form young skipper Tom Abell, whose unbeaten 35 in the second innings suggested better days ahead.