Hildreth hits hundred before Somerset slide
At Taunton Hampshire (15-1) trail Somerset (408) by 393 runs James Hildreth led the way with a century as Somerset gained maximum batting points on the opening day of this Specsavers County Championship match.
But, from a dominant 353 for three, the Division One leaders slipped to 408 all out. Kyle Abbott claimed six for 84, four of his wickets coming with the second new ball.
Hildreth’s exquisite 105 was his first championship hundred of the season. He shared a second-wicket stand of 178 with captain Tom Abell (82) and their good work was backed by youngsters Tom Banton and George Bartlett, who both hit half-centuries.
But Hampshire’s seamers stuck to their task and Abbott produced an inspired spell of four for 22 late in the day as seven wickets fell for just 55 runs in bright sunshine.
By the close, Hampshire had replied with 15 for one from seven overs, losing Ollie Soames, caught behind off Jamie Overton for a duck.
Somerset won the toss and elected to bat first on a used pitch. Clearly expecting it to turn as the game progressed, the home side selected a second spinner in Dom Bess in place of seamer Jack Brooks.
Hampshire made an early breakthrough with the total on 18, Azhar Ali’s poor season continuing when he played all around a straight ball from Abbott and departed lbw for 12. But Abell showed good judgment on when to leave the ball as he and Hildreth saw off the new ball and laid the foundation for the biggest stand of the day.
Hildreth looked in prime form from the start and went to 50 off 78 balls, with seven fours. By lunch, he and Abell had taken the total to 98 for one.
Abell was content to play the supporting role as Hildreth continued to prosper after the interval, bringing up a 45th first-class century with a six over deep square off a long hop from leg-spinner Mason Crane, who struggled for any semblance of control.
Abell went to a watchful halfcentury from 126 balls, with five fours, just the innings Somerset required to cure their top-order batting problems.
With the score on 196, Hildreth was struck by a blow on the helmet by Fidel Edwards, who worked up good pace from the River End. The next ball was also short and the batsman pulled to short midwicket where Keith Barker took a good diving catch.
Abell fell with the total on 237, edging Abbott to first slip and at tea it was 289 for three.
Young guns Banton and Bartlett demonstrated their potential with a stand of 116 off 128 balls, both exuding confidence, before Banton, who had survived a stumping chance on 17, fell lbw to James Fuller for 79.
Steve Davies departed cheaply to Fuller and the second new ball was taken at 379 for five. From then on Hampshire hit back strongly, led by Abbott.
He removed Lewis Gregory (25), Overton and Tim Groenewald for ducks with successive balls, and last man Jack Leach.
Bartlett became a second victim for Edwards, having contributed an impressive 68, and Somerset had cause to feel disappointed with their late-order collapse.
Hampshire had substitute fielder Aneurin Donald keeping wicket for much of the day after Tom Alsop suffered a hamstring injury. Donald was later replaced by specialist keeper Lewis Mcmanus, who had been summoned to the ground.
During the lunch interval Ali was presented with his Somerset county cap by Marcus Trescothick.