Somerset closing in on victory at Edgbaston

Somerset closing in on victory at Edgbaston

Somerset strengthened their position in this game even further, closing in on the win as Jamie Overton scored an illustrious maiden county championship century to see his county put the pressure on hosts Warwickshire. 

The visitors went into the day leading by 93, six wickets down, with Warwickshire hoping they could wrap up the innings in the morning session. A good start was made by Olly Hannon-Dalby and Tim Bresnan, with the latter picking up the wicket of Lewis Gregory with his first ball of the morning. OHD then got Roelof van der Merwe edging to give him his fourth wicket. 

This was where the hope of finishing the Somerset first innings off quickly diminished.

Jamie Overton walked to the crease and began to play his career best innings to date. He then went on to make 120, surpassing his career best of 68 by some margin, bringing up his maiden first class century. 80% of his runs came from boundaries, including 16 fours’ and six sixes’. 

Steven Davies also brought up his 25th First Class century from 150 balls to, to rub more salt into the wounds for Warwickshire. 

Somerset did declare, after Overton was dismissed edging Bresnan behind, with a lead of 292, having secured the maximum 5 batting points to add to their 3 bowling points from the prior innings.

Somerset’s position in the game was dominant going into Warwickshire’s second innings, as they took three wickets before tea. Josh Davey bowled Rob Yates for 1, after he left a delivery that swung back in and hit middle stump. Sam Hain then edged Jamie Overton for 7 to James Hildreth. Ian Bell then followed on, edging Lewis Gregory behind for 6. 

Will Rhodes and Michael Burgess then saw the hosts through to tea. After the interval, however, Somerset struck quickly again. Davey got successive wickets, firstly Burgess caught on the drive for 13 and then, next ball, Bresnan edged behind.

Rhodes and Alex Thomson settled proceedings in the middle, putting on a 48 run partnership to deny Somerset an early victory. Although the stand came to a premature end when Rhodes attempted to pull Gregory, but the ball ended up in the bowler’s hands. 

Shortly after, the heavens opened and play was concluded for the day. Somerset are in a good position to push on for the win, needing 4 wickets to secure victory. Warwickshire are 188 behind. 

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