Overton claims his 400th wicket in Somerset recovery
Craig Overton claimed his 400th first-class wicket as Somerset fought back strongly at the end of a rainshortened second day against Hampshire at Taunton.
The visitors looked to be cruising towards a first-innings lead when reaching 107 for one in reply to 211.
But the final session saw Overton produce an inspired seven-over spell, removing Ian Holland (49) and James Vince as Hampshire lurched to 117 for four before closing on 144 for five.
The England seamer ended the day with three for 21 from 18 overs, with his side leading by 67 runs at stumps.
It capped a remarkable final for the hosts whose perseverance and patience paid off, with Overton and Peter Siddle the pick of the bowlers after play had resumed at 5.30pm following a rain delay at Taunton.
“We’ve shown today that if we keep persevering like that then we’ll get our rewards again,” said Somerset coach Steve Kirby.
“You’re never out if it when you have the bowlers like we have. You’re always in the game.
“When we got an inroad we really capitalised. And we’ve not even seen Jack Leach yet. We know how good a bowler he is. There’s all to go for. We’ve got to stay nice and calm, nice and patient and we’ll get our rewards tomorrow.”
Jack Leaning and Grant Stewart scored contrasting half-centuries as Kent piled on the runs on a rainaffected second day against Northamptonshire.
Captain Leaning ground his way to a 120-ball 50 to build on the fine work of Ben Compton, who ended with 140, and Zak Crawley and Daniel Bell-drummond’s half-centuries.
On the other hand, Stewart was given a licence and used it to bash five sixes in 34 deliveries on his route to the milestone – before he ended 61 not out – as Kent declared on 519 for nine.
All-rounder Stewart and Darren Stevens then made early inroads by displacing Ben Curran and Emilio Gay as Northamptonshire ended the day on 21 for two – 498 runs behind.
Essex new-ball bowlers Sam Cook and Jamie Porter left Lancashire’s first innings in tatters as the visitors ended a rain-shortened second day in total control of their match at Emirates Old Trafford.
Replying to Essex’s 391, in which Dan Lawrence made 120 and Shane Snater 72, the home side were reduced to 32 for five and the only solace for their supporters was that the rain prevented any play after tea.
The one negative for Essex was Lawrence appearing to suffer a recurrence of his right hamstring injury and he did not field in Lancashire’s first innings.
The England batsman had been forced to use a runner after pulling up when completing a quick single. It looked to be a similar injury to that which sidelined him for a month before this game. He was caught by James Anderson off the bowling of Luke Wood three overs later.
Cook finished the day with figures of two for five from seven overs and Porter two for 19 from six as Lancashire were left staring at the the possibility of a first defeat of the season.