County Championship: Warwickshire on top against Somerset

Half-centuries from Rob Yates, Alex Davies and Jacob Bethell strengthened Warwickshire’s grip on the third day of their County Championship match at Somerset.

The visitors earned a first-innings lead of 128 by bowling the hosts out for 284 from an overnight 208-6 at Taunton.

Yates (57) and Davies (50) then produced a century opening partnership and, despite a mid-innings stumble, Warwickshire were able to reach stumps on 281-8, 409 runs ahead, with Bethell contributing a sparkling 66.

Craig Overton claimed 4-57 but his side will have to bat to save the game on the final day.

Somerset’s first task was to score the 55 runs needed to avoid the follow-on but Abell missed a swinging full toss in Michael Booth’s opening over.

Kasey Aldridge then chased a wide delivery from Booth and edged to Yates at second slip.

Overton survived a confident lbw shout from Booth but batted with great assurance and together with James Rew, took Somerset to a batting point.

The follow-on had been avoided when Rew and Migael Pretorius fell to the second new ball.

Yates and Davies added 106 but the ball after reaching his half-century, Davies was bowled by Jack Leach.

Yates pulled a short ball from Overton and picked out Josh Davey at fine leg.

Will Rhodes went to pull an Overton short ball but feathered a catch through to wicketkeeper Rew.

With the lead just past 300, Dan Mousley advanced down the pitch to Overton and only succeeded in miscuing a catch to Tom Banton at mid-on and Barnard was run out by Aldridge’s smart pick-up and direct hit.

Sam Hain dug in and Bethell was severe on anything short as they put together a half-century stand before Hain, on 43, ran out of patience and holed out to mid-on off Overton.

Bethell reached a 71-ball fifty with his second six before falling leg-before to Leach, who struck again when Chris Woakes chipped a catch to cover.

Report supplied by ECB Reporters’ Network.