Rew, Lammonby and Abell put Somerset in a strong position
Half centuries from James Rew, Tom Lammonby and Tom Abell put Somerset in a strong position at the end of the first day of this Rothesay County Championship match against Sussex at the Cooper Associates County Ground.
After a strong opening to the campaign, Somerset are keen to get back to winning ways after back to back defeats, and Jason Kerr’s side are well placed to do just that if today’s display is anything to go by.
Lewis Gregory won the toss and elected to bat on a bright and breezy morning in front of another big crowd in Taunton but Somerset’s latest opening pair of Josh Thomas and debutant Jordan Hermann shared a stand of 19 before the former was trapped lbw by Ollie Robinson for seven.
Hermann’s first Somerset start saw him unluckily fall in similar fashion to Tom Haines for 25.
Rew joined Lammonby at the crease with the score on 46 for two and the Somerset 50 arrived in the 13th over.8Â Somerset’s third wicket pair then brought up their 50 partnership from 94 deliveries.
The home side’s 100 came up off the first ball of the 30th over and by the time the lunch interval arrived the hosts had reached 107 for two.
Lammonby’s 50 arrived shortly after the break from 83 deliveries whilst Rew sent spectators in the Ondaatje stand scattering for cover when he dispatched Henry Crocombe over the rope for a big maximum when the Sussex seamer attempted to bounce him.
The 100 partnership came from 173 balls and this was followed shortly thereafter by the Somerset 150 after 42 overs. Rew, who rode his luck rather more than Lammonby, reached his half century from 94 deliveries.
The partnership for the third wicket was worth 124 when it was finally broken. Lammonby was the batter to fall, stumped for 73 looking to attack Jack Carson at 170 for three.
It was a welcome return to form for the Somerset left-hander who received a warm ovation as he left the field of play with his highest score of the season under his belt.
The score had advanced to 214 when Rew looked to go big but miscued Haines straight to James Coles and had to depart for a fine 86. It was redemption of a sort for Coles who had spilled a chance off the same batter when Rew was on 37.
By tea, Tom Abell and Archie Vaughan had taken the home side to 238 without further loss.
The 250 came off the final ball of the 67th over when Vaughan crashed Carson through the off side for four and the 50 partnership arrived from 95 deliveries courtesy of a big six back down the ground from Abell off Coles.
Abell’s 50 came from 93 balls but the fifth wicket partnership was eventually broken for 83. Tom Clark was getting some away movement with the new ball and Vaughan (29) edged behind at 297 for five.
A second batting point was secured in the 87th over and by the close of play Somerset had reached 335 for five with Abell unbeaten on 74 and Craig Overton not out on 26.
