Josh and Henry put Somerset on top against Essex
A fine century from Josh Thomas put Somerset in the box seat on the opening day of this Rothesay County Championship Division One Clash with Essex at the Cooper Associates County Ground.
New Zealand International, Henry Nicholls also endeared himself to the Somerset faithful by making 96 on his maiden appearance for the County, and there was a valuable contribution from Tom Abell on his return to action as the home side finished on 348 for five.
On an overcast morning which threatened rain but never produced it, visiting captain Tom Westley won the toss and elected to field.
The Somerset opening pair of Tom Lammonby and Thomas looked well set to secure a solid foundation for their side, but with the score on 34, Lammonby (20) fell in unfortunate circumstances. A leg-side delivery from Sam Cook struck the left-hander on the thigh pad and was deflected onto the stumps.
Thomas and Lewis Goldsworthy (16) shared a second wicket stand of 60 before the latter edged Jamie Porter through to a diving Michael Pepper.
Thomas went to 50 from 75 deliveries and by the time the lunch interval arrived the home side were 134 for two.
After the break, Thomas and debutant Nicholls brought up the 50 partnership for the third wicket from 91 balls before the Somerset 150 arrived from the opening delivery of the 34th over.
The 100 partnership came from 185 balls before Thomas reached his second career First Class century from 148 deliveries.
The Somerset 200 came in the 53rd over and shortly thereafter Nicholls claimed his 50 from 120 balls.
The scoreboard showed 213 when Thomas’ fine innings came to an end. The 21-year-old was bowled by Shane Snater for 110, his runs coming from 162 balls with 15 fours and a six.
By tea, the score had advanced to 248 for three.
In the evening session, the score went past 300 and Abell, back in the Somerset side in First Class cricket for the first time since May following injury, reached his half century from 81 balls as Somerset continued to pile on the runs.
Nicholls agonisingly fell four runs shy of a debut century when he chopped an inswinger from Cook onto his stumps at 312 for four. The partnership with Abell was worth 99.
With the arrival of the new ball, the run rate slowed but Abell and James Rew took their side to 348 before Abell (65) was bowed by an excellent delivery from Snater that angled in then nipped away in the penultimate over of the day.
Jake Ball joined Rew and the pair saw their side to the close with no further drama.
