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Rain curtails day one at Utilita Bowl
Less than 28 overs were possible on the opening day of this Rothesay County Championship Division One match between Somerset and Hampshire at Utilita Bowl.
In the little play that was possible, the visitors struggled to 94 for six as Kyle Abbott took his tally of career wickets against Somerset to 71, with 40 of them coming at an average of 12 at Utilita Bowl.
Fellow fast bowlers James Fuller and Brad Wheal also picked up a pair of wickets as three wickets fell in 11 balls just before the interval.
However, rain meant that no further play was possible after lunch.
Lewis Gregory’s abdominal injury meant that James Rew captained his county for the first time in the Championship – having previously led the Second XI and England Under 19. In doing so, he became Somerset’s youngest ever skipper.
The day began with Ben Brown winning the toss and choosing to bowl under threatening grey skies.
The first wicket came after 34 balls when Sean Dickson was trapped lbw by Wheal.
Archie Vaughan and Tom Lammonby stabilised and attempted to build a foundation but having eased to a 55-run stand both fell within 13 deliveries to Fuller.
Fuller had been left out of the opening two rounds of the season in favour of former Somerset bowler Sonny Baker. But Baker, who is on an ECB Development Contract, was rested, leaving the door open for Fuller.
Having been hit for two boundaries in his opening over, he tightened up before finding the edge of Vaughan’s bat. To dismiss Lammonby, Fuller pitched it further up and angled it across the left-hander who edged through to Brown.
The morning looked like it would end fairly even at 93 for three with around 10 minutes to go until lunch, but the tide turned in favour of the home side.
Tom Banton couldn’t have been more unlucky with his wicket. He whipped a half-volley with gusto but was sensationally caught by Nick Gubbins. Then five balls later, Rew pushed behind. Tom Abell added one run before Kasey Aldridge was beaten for pace and had his off stump clattered by Wheal. 11 balls had seen one run and three wickets.
Rain at lunch meant not further action was possible.
After play was called off for the day, Somerset Batting Coach, Shane Burger said: “In any position you don’t want to lose wickets in clumps. It is something we have done this season and hopefully it doesn’t become a trend.
“It is something we are focused on getting better but at 69 for one, on a wicket where the conditions were in Hampshire’s favour, we managed to put them under pressure. There was a time where we felt we could build a really big partnership with Archie Vaughan and Tom Lammonby but that wasn’t the case.
“There were a couple of good balls in there. James Rew received an excellent ball and when Abbott and Wheal got the ball into good areas it was tough.”
On James Rew: “We’ve known since James has been at the Club that he has leadership qualities. The way he talks about the game and and his ability to be level-headed whatever the situation is is remarkable.
“It is very dangerous to look at the age and suggest whether someone should or shouldn’t lead. If someone is ready to lead, you give them the opportunity to do it.”
