Somerset build a 63-run lead after excellent first day
AFIGHTING half-century from skipper Tom Abell helped Somerset build a 63-run lead over Hampshire on an eventful opening day at the Ageas Bowl that saw 15 wickets fall.
Taunton-born Abell was unbeaten on 52 - guiding his side to 142-5 after Hampshire were earlier bowled out for just 79 after being put into bat on a spicy pitch in chilly and cloudy conditions.
Lewis Gregory was the pick of the Somerset attack, taking 4-26, as the hosts were dismissed inside 41 overs less than an hour after lunch.
It was the first time since 1969 Hampshire had posted back-to-back sub-100 first innings totals following last week’s 92 all out against Surrey at The Oval.
The home side started the day in third place in Group Two - one spot behind Somerset - and did well to only lose the in-form Ian Holland inside the opening hour.
Holland departed for four when Gregory, from Plymouth, found the outside edge of the Australian’s bat and Craig Overton took the catch at slip.
But the second hour of the day proved to be a disaster for Hampshire as five wickets fell for 16 runs inside 11 overs with Tom Alsop, Sam Northeast, James Vince and Liam Dawson all posting single-figure scores.
Opener Joe Weatherley top-scored for his side with a scratchy 20 but was guilty of running out Northeast for just four after he took a risky single and George Bartlett hit the stumps with a brilliant direct hit from cover.
Gregory mopped up the tail 50 minutes after the lunch having received excellent support from the admirable Overton, who maintained his excellent form, and Josh Davey, who each picked up two wickets.
The overhead conditions continued to favour the seamers in the afternoon session and Somerset fell to 11-2 inside four overs when newball pairing Keith Barker and Mohammad Abass dismissed Tom Lammonby and Eddie Byron cheaply.
Kyle Abbott then trapped James Hildreth lbw for 14 before Abell and Bartlett posted the first 50 partnership of the match following a short rain delay.
The 54-run stand was broken by Abbott who tempted Bartlett, who had played well for his 27, into playing at a rising delivery and Dawson snared a high catch at second slip.
But Abell and Lewis Goldsworthy held firm against some top-class bowling until the penultimate over of the day when Holland beat the defences of Goldsworthy with a fulllength ball that clattered into the stumps.
But Holland then went from hero to villain when he grassed a regulation catch off nightwatchman Jack Leach who’d edged Barker to third slip.