Published: Sep 11, 2018, 10:14 AM (IST)
Edited: Sep 11, 2018, 10:15 AM (IST)
In their previous outing, against Worcestershire at New Road, Dale Steyn had roared back into form with 3 for 25 and 3 for 41. Kyle Abbott had gone a notch ahead, with 2 for 29 and 6 for 39. Now, at The Rose Bowl, Steyn (3 for 37) and Abbott (5 for 31) found some resistance from Somerset‘s top three — Marcus Trescothick, Ben Green, and Azhar Ali before skittling them out for 106. Somerset even reached 45 for 1 before the Wisconsin-born Ian Holland struck twice for Hampshire.
Then, from Steyn and Abbott returned, and for 71 for 3, Somerset were suddenly reduced to 83 for 8. Craig Overton, Jack Leach, and Somerset’s Scottish import Josh Davey pushed them past the 100-run mark.
Hampshire then reduced to 68 for 6 by Jamie Overton (twin brother of Craig) and Davey. Sam Northeast (53) held the innings together, adding 56 for the seventh wicket with Liam Dawson (31) to stretch the Hampshire lead to 36. Jimmy Adams, playing in his farewell season, had scored 31 earlier in the innings.
Hampshire, currently on 117 after the three first-innings points, are battling hard to avoid relegation. They are still above both Lancashire (107, having played one match more) and Yorkshire (100), who are playing each other at Headingley. Worcestershire are on 90, but have a match in hand, so Hampshire are certainly not safe.
Brief scores:
Somerset 106 (Ben Green 26; Dale Steyn 3 for 37, Kyle Abbott 5 for 31) trail Hampshire 142 for 9 (Sam Northeast 53; Josh Davey 3 for 35, Jamie Overton 3 for 22) by 36 runs.
