Somerset on top after day one
Somerset’s bowler’s put the title chasers in a strong position at the end of the opening day of this Rothesay County Championship match against Glamorgan at the Cooper Associates County Ground.
Migael Pretorius (three for 45) was the pick of the home attack whilst there were also two wickets apiece for Lewis Gregory, Craig Overton and Tom Lammonby as the visitors were dismissed for 194 inside two sessions and their hosts claimed maximum bowling points.
Along with Josh Thomas (46*), Lammonby (37*) then helped to ensure that the day was very much Somerset’s as the hosts finished on 92 without loss, trailing by just 102.
Play was initially delayed for half an hour following early morning rain, and in damp and overcast conditions Somerset skipper Gregory won the toss and unsurprising elected to bowl.
Asa Tribe and Kiran Carlson saw off the opening salvos from Gregory and Overton, but Pretorius’ introduction from the River End brought about the initial breakthrough.
With the score on 33, the South African allrounder struck with his third delivery. He found Tribes outside edge and James Rew pulled off a stunning one handed catch as he dived full length to his right.
Pretorius struck again in the 12th over when Carlson edged through to Henry Nicholls at first slip to leave the visitors on 45 for two.
It didn’t take long for 45 for two to become 49 for three when Overton got in on the act. Mason Crane (27) looked to drive, but a thick outside edge saw Tom Abell snaffle a regulation chance at second slip.
Shortly before 12:30pm rain began to fall and the players left the field with the scoreboard displaying 68 for three after 21 overs.
Play resumed just over 10 minutes later, and before lunch arrived Gregory accounted for Colin Ingram (13) after Abell once again did the business at second slip. The dismissal brought about lunch at 80 for four.
The Glamorgan 100 arrived after 31 overs before Ben Kellaway reached his half century from 81 deliveries.
However, Kellaway’s celebrations were short lived as just one run later Pretorius enticed him into a shot and Nicholls held onto it at first slip.
First slip was once again called into action to remove Sean Dickson. Overton this time taking the catch to give Gregory his second wicket of the day.
Glamorgan’s 150 came after 48 overs but once again their joy was not lengthy in duration as the opening delivery of the 49th over, sent down by Overton, saw Chris Cooke nick the ball to Abell at second slip.
Nicholls’ third slip catch of the day came courtesy of Dan Douthwaite (18) to give Lammonby a wicket at 158 for eight. Lammonby claimed a second with no further addition to the total when Connor O’Riordan (0) was caught behind.
Mir Hamza and Timm van der Gugten took the score to 194 before the former was the last wicket to fall, caught behind of Jack Leach’s second delivery of the match. The only slight concern for the hosts at this stage was that Gregory left the field after three balls of the penultimate over of the session.
The fall of the final wicket brought about the tea interval which was extended due to further rain.
Play eventually got back underway at 4:50pm, and Lammonby and Thomas set about making inroads into the Glamorgan total. The opening pair took their side to 50 in the 12th over and by the close of play Somerset were very much on top.
