Somerset scrap their way into contention for Edgbaston win

Somerset scrap their way into contention for Edgbaston win

This Edgbaston clash has been pulled back into the balance if Somerset can apply themselves on day four and score the remaining 250 to win after a Steven Davies century and fantastic Jamie Overton spell clawed them into contention.

The morning started with some tight bowling from George Garrett and Olly Hannon-Dalby, and just 10 runs came from the opening half an hour.

Garrett, who is the third Warwickshire academy graduate to be given his first-team debut this season continued to show his skill, pace and control with his second spell of eight overs going for just 17 runs and including the one wicket he took the previous evening.

Regardless of the restrictive bowling from the hosts, opener Davies went through to his first century of this season off 176 balls, recording his 23rd first-class hundred.

However, a few overs later Jeetan Patel did what he does best and removed the centurion for 109, as he edged to first slip.

Will Rhodes had an impact, encouraging Roelof Van Der Merwe to play a loose shot, forcing him to edge behind for one, but this charge from Warwickshire was halted as the final three wickets added 106 runs. 

Dom Bess and Craig Overton frustrated the hosts with their 61-run partnership before lunch, Henry Brookes did threaten to break it on numerous occasions with edges flying through the slips and the ball beating the bat many times. It wasn’t to be for the youngster though, as the pair guided Somerset past 250 to secure their first batting point on the brink of lunch. 

It was Hannon-Dalby’s return that brought an end to that partnership on 65, as he got Overton trapped LBW for 36. Although his partner, Bess remained crucial to Somerset, as he reached his half-century from 133 balls, showing immense resilience to negotiate some hard hitting bowling from Brookes. He aided the visitors to their second batting point of the innings. 

The final two wickets of the innings fell in quick succession, as Brookes got Jamie Overton edging to gully for two, and then Rhodes got Jack Brooks dismissed in the same fashion, with Somerset all out for 308, trailing by 111. 

As Warwickshire set out in pursuit of extending their lead, Dom Sibley fell early to Brooks LBW for nine. Rob Yates came in and ticked the lead over steadily alongside Rhodes before Tom Abell took two wickets in two balls. Firstly he removed Rhodes who edged to first slip after chasing after a wide one, and then trapped Sam Hain LBW on his first ball. 

After the tea interval Somerset challenged with their bowling and got the reward as Adam Hose departed for seven, edging Brooks behind. 

Throughout this loss of wickets, the centurion from the first innings, Rob Yates showcased his talent by showing excellent resilience to his half-century from 80 balls, as him and Tim Ambrose put on a 42-run partnership to keep Warwickshire in control.

Jamie Overton came onto bowl and put Somerset back in the game, as he took three wickets in two overs. He removed Yates, getting him trapped LBW for 53, and then two balls later dismissed Michael Burgess who edged to gully.

In his next over his success continued as he removed Brookes, who was caught behind swinging at a wide delivery. This left the hosts seven down, as they led by 224. 

Valuable runs were added by Ambrose and Patel, to add to Warwickshire’s lead, but Craig Overton joined in on the action, removing Ambrose LBW by a ball that kept low, with Warwickshire leading by 246.

Abell removed Patel lbw for nine, and then got Hannon Dalby for five, with Warwickshire all out for 146, which left Somerset needing 258 to win. 

With seven overs left in the day, Somerset faced some good bowling from Hannon-Dalby and Brookes, not long into the innings though the light worsened and stumps were called with Somerset remaining wicketless and needing 250 to win on day four.

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