April 19-22, The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton
Nottinghamshire 193 (Montgomery 48, Clarke 39, Overton 3-57, Gregory 2-19) & 38-1 (Hameed 16*, Young 12*, Davey 1-17, Overton 0-4, Bashir 0-4)
Somerset 454 (Overton 95*, Banton 83, Harrison 4-93, James 2-97)
Toss: Nottinghamshire, who elected to bat. Officials: Russell Warren, David Millns, Mike Smith
DAY ONE
CRAIG OVERTON signalled his return to form and fitness following winter back surgery as Somerset bowled out Nottinghamshire for 193.
The England all-rounder claimed three for 57 from 18 overs to help the hosts to maximum bowling points after losing the toss. Only Matt Montgomery (48) and Joe Clarke (39) could offer significant resistance on a bright, blustery day.
There were two wickets each for Lewis Gregory and Migael Pretorius. By the close, Somerset had replied with 116 for one.
The match began with a brief and somewhat strange innings from Haseeb Hameed, who aimed an extravagant cover drive that the first ball, a wide one from Overton, without making contact, left the second and then dragged the third delivery onto his stumps with a repeat of his first shot.
Ben Slater and Will Young were more circumspect in taking the total 49 but then Slater, on 25, nibbled at a seaming Gregory delivery on off stump to edge through to wicketkeeper James Rew, while Young was pinned lbw on the back foot for 27 with the total on 52.
Clarke and Montgomery saw Notts through to lunch, taking the score to 72 for three on a pitch offering true bounce and some seam movement, which looked as if it would aid good batting and bowling.
It was the latter, backed up by excellent fielding, which held sway in the afternoon session. When Clarke got a leading edge to a legside delivery from England off-spinner Shoaib Bashir and was caught at mid-wicket it proved a turning point as wickets fell steadily from then on,
Jack Haynes was caught behind pushing forward to Josh Davey and Montgomery, who had faced 84 balls, fell to a catch at second slip off Overton.
Two balls later the tall seamer struck again as Calvin Harrison edged to Gregory at first slip.Suddenly Notts were 153 for seven and in a deep hole. Although Lyndon James and Brett Hutton added 30, there was to be no major recovery and Notts were bowled out inside 63 overs. Tea was taken before Somerset’s reply began in bright sunshine.
Soon Renshaw and Dickson were putting the pitch in perspective, compiling a century opening stand in 28.2 overs with barely a false shot, despite some probing bowling from Fletcher.
Dickson led the way with some sweetly-timed shots, including two swashbuckling strokes through point off Lyndon James to bring
