Somerset 208 for 6 (Banton 77, Abell 61, Hannon-Dalby 4-45) trail Warwickshire 412 (Burgess 147, Pretorius 5-104) by 204 runs
On the second day of the Vitality County Championship Division One clash at Taunton, Somerset's Tom Banton and Tom Abell mounted a determined rescue effort to lift their team from a precarious position against Warwickshire. At 57 for 3 in their first innings and facing a daunting 355-run deficit, Banton and Abell combined for a solid 139-run partnership. Banton scored 77 and Abell remained unbeaten on 61, but three late wickets left Somerset at 208 for 6 by the close of play, with Oliver Hannon-Dalby taking 4 for 45.
Earlier, Warwickshire had extended their overnight total of 373 for 8 to a final score of 412 all out, thanks to Michael Burgess’s impressive 147. Migael Pretorius added one more wicket to his tally from the previous day, finishing with figures of 5 for 104 from 27 overs.
Play on the second day was interrupted early by a heavy shower, which delayed the start until 1:10 pm after an early lunch at 12:30 pm, disappointing over 700 schoolchildren who had received free admission.
Somerset’s frustrations continued from the previous evening, as Booth’s edged four off Pretorius allowed the visitors to secure a fourth batting point at 402 for 8, having been in a precarious position at 40 for 4.
Booth then contributed to a 50-run stand with Burgess, reaching his half-century off 74 balls before Pretorius dismissed him for 31, with Abell taking the catch at first slip. Burgess faced 208 balls, hitting 17 fours and three sixes, before becoming the last wicket to fall, caught by Jack Leach off Kasey Aldridge’s bowling.
Somerset faced a target of 263 to avoid a follow-on, and although Andy Umeed struck a six off the second ball of the second over, he was dismissed on the fourth ball, caught by Jacob Bethell at fourth slip for 6.
Tom Kohler-Cadmore also tried to be aggressive but was dismissed for 22 by a good ball from Booth. Chris Woakes completed a tight opening spell, conceding just 15 runs in seven overs.
Tom Lammonby was out for 23, caught by wicketkeeper Burgess off Ed Barnard’s delivery, leaving Somerset in a difficult position at 57 for 3. However, Banton and Abell worked diligently, taking Somerset to 80 for 3 by tea.
In the extended final session, Banton played some exquisite shots, and with Abell’s support, the partnership reached 50 from 88 balls. Banton’s half-century came off 77 balls, including 5 fours and a six, although he appeared somewhat susceptible to wide deliveries.
Abell and Banton steadily accumulated runs as the ball became softer and Warwickshire's bowlers struggled on a pitch offering minimal seam movement or turn. Abell narrowly avoided being dismissed on 43 when a delivery from Barnard seemed to miss the off stump by a narrow margin. He reached 50 from 110 balls with a late cut for his third four. Despite Bethell's tidy spell of 10 overs for 23 runs, Banton and Abell looked relatively untroubled.
However, Hannon-Dalby struck a blow just before the end of the day, taking Banton’s outside edge for Rob Yates to take a low catch. Banton, who had faced 143 balls, was disappointed to miss out on a potential third first-class century.
Hannon-Dalby then quickly removed night watchmen Josh Davey lbw and Jack Leach caught behind on the very next ball, leaving Warwickshire in a strong position as they ended the day on a high note.