Warwickshire, still searching for their first win of the season, displayed much-needed resilience as they fought back against Somerset on the opening day of their Vitality County Championship clash at Edgbaston. In their bid to avoid relegation to Division Two, Warwickshire found themselves under pressure but managed to recover and end the day on a strong note.
Somerset, aiming to stay in contention with Division One leaders, Surrey, appeared in control after a rain-delayed start, reducing the home team to 165-6. Opener Rob Yates was the only batsman to show early resistance with a solid 69, but Somerset soon ran into a determined seventh-wicket stand that shifted the momentum.
Jacob Bethell, unbeaten on 60, and Michael Burgess, who scored 63 off 79 balls, formed an unbroken partnership of 112 runs over 30 overs, giving Warwickshire a foundation to push for their first Championship victory of the season. Somerset's bowlers, led by Craig Overton and Josh Davey with two wickets each, initially applied pressure but were unable to maintain it as the day progressed.
Warwickshire, having been put intoin to bat after the morning drizzle cleared, started steadily with openers Rob Yates and Alex Davies putting on a 50-run partnership. However, just before lunch, Kasey Aldridge struck in his fourth over, dismissing Davies for 27 with a careless shot.
The afternoon session saw a flurry of wickets as Warwickshire lost former captain Will Rhodes for 22, and Hamza Shaikh fell to a misjudged slice to backward point. Davey then removed Yates with a loose shot outside off stump and followed up by dismissing the in-form Ed Barnard for a duck in consecutive overs just before tea.
Despite these setbacks, Warwickshire found their rhythm as the sun emerged, with Bethell and Burgess brightening the atmosphere in Birmingham, setting the stage for a competitive match.