Game finely poised after day two
Nick Gubbins made a half century as Hampshire battled back against Somerset in this Rothesay County Championship match at Utilita Bowl.
Somerset had begun the day in a commanding position – thanks largely to James Rew’s 86 – but ended up only securing a 50-run first-innings lead.
Gubbins ended the day 70 not out, with Tom Prest also contributing with 43, as Hampshire reached a lead of 96 in their bid to set table-toppers Somerset a tricky target.
Somerset had been in the ascendancy, having bowled Hampshire out before ending day one with Tom Abell and Rew well set.
That momentum continued on the second day as the pair took their partnership to 101.
Rew and Abell have enjoyed each other’s company at the crease this season – having put on 140 and 57 in their previous two alliances.
Nothing had happened in the first hour of the day to suggest Somerset weren’t on for a significant first-innings lead, but then Codi Yusuf started to get the ball to reverse, and Liam Dawson built pressure with a touch of turn.
Rew had reached 86 when he was caught at gully. It was a rare misstep in yet another example of the Somerset ‘keeper’s incredible talents – which this season has seen him score at least 48 in each of his four innings, to boast an average of 80.
His dismissal saw Somerset lose four wickets for 29 runs, and even the overall match situation up.
Will Smeed needed 23 balls to get off the mark and fell to Yusuf courtesy of a catch at deep fine leg, Abell edged a Dawson delivery behind on 49, and Lewis Gregory was bowled by Kyle Abbott.
Somerset suddenly looked in danger of not reaching Hampshire 238, but Craig Overton got them a lead, before being dismissed.
Jack Leach had been an important cog in a 38-run partnership with Overton but he was run out after looking well-set on 20.
The fact Somerset claimed a 50-run lead, was down to an incredible salvo from Alfie Ogborne. He struck three lusty blows in an entertaining 38 – which only came to an end when Eddie Jack plucked a caught and bowled which was hurling past him.
South African Yusuf, who had been luckless thus far in the campaign, returned three for 67.
The hints the pitch was flattening was confirmed when Hampshire began their second innings, as the evening saw run after run with little chance or excitement for the bowlers.
There were 114 runs scored before the first wicket fell, but by three rather than two batters – as Toby Albert retired hurt after taking a throw at the stumps to the unprotected part of his leg.
Prest therefore completed the first-wicket runs, putting on 92 with Gubbins for another start before he was lbw to Jake Ball – who was bowling his first ball of the innings in the 31st over.
Gubbins and Jake Lehmann gracefully reached close to leave the match finely in the balance.
At the close of play, Somerset Head Coach, Jason Kerr said: “It has been very frustrating today. Coming into it we wanted to bat big, and that was the intention. We knew they were going to come hard, they are an experienced seam attack.
“We knew we were going to have to work hard, and for the first 40 minutes we did that. Abell and Rew got through a tough early period but then we lost wickets at regular intervals, with soft dismissals. We only got a 50 lead that was no where near enough on that surface.
“You can’t afford to miss the stumps. You have to be really disciplined. If we can execute that, then we will be able to create opportunities with the ball.”
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