Somerset retain grip on Division One lead after beating struggling Nottinghamshire

Jack Leach and Jamie Overton shared eight wickets as Notts were skittled for just 122 with over a day to spare at Taunton

Taunton: (third day of four): Somerset 326 & 169, Notts 241 & 122 - Somerset won by 132 runs

Scorecard

Jack Leach and Jamie Overton claimed four wickets each as Somerset retained a 15-point lead at the top of the Specsavers County Championship with a 132-run victory over Nottinghamshire at Taunton.

Chasing a target of 255 to win, the visitors were bowled out for 122, England left-arm spinner Leach taking four for 42 and paceman Overton four for 24 as only R Ashwin, with 41, offered much resistance.

Earlier, Somerset had been bowled out for 169 in their second innings, Notts left-arm spinner Liam Patterson-White marking his first class debut with an impressive five for 73, while Ashwin returned five for 59

Azhar Ali’s battling 65 not out enabled the hosts to set a challenging target on a pitch offering some turn, but not nearly as difficult to bat on as the scores suggested.

The day began with Somerset seven for one and looking to build on a 92-run lead. They had progressed to 56 when Tom Abell, on 24, middled a low full toss from Ashwin and Ben Slater, turning away at short leg, took a remarkable catch.

The home side then imploded with a series of poor shots against Ashwin and Patterson-White. James Hildreth set the tone, giving Ashwin the charge and edging to wicketkeeper Tom Moores.

VISIT THE COUNTY HUB: Your one-stop shop for English domestic cricket

Patterson-White claimed his maiden Championship wicket when Tom Banton was lbw playing back to a ball that was too full and quickly followed up by bowling George Bartlett, who made the same error.

Steve Davies fell leg-before pushing forward to Ashwin and by lunch Somerset had plunged to 108 for six, a lead of 193.

With only a run added after the break, Lewis Gregory tamely chipped a catch to mid-on off to give Patterson-White his third wicket. The fourth came when Dom Bess was lbw attempting to sweep.

Azhar was battling away at the other end, moving to a priceless half-century off 157 balls. Overton provided sensible support in a key ninth-wicket stand of 51, which took some momentum away from Notts.

Ashwin had him caught behind for 24 and after Patterson-White quickly sent back last man Leach, the debutant was allowed to lead his team from the field.

Soon Leach was weaving his magic from the same end, taking the new ball for the second over and pinning Jake Libby lbw with his first delivery.

Slater fell to a fine juggling catch by Banton at short-leg off Leach and tea was taken with Notts 31 for two, requiring a further 224.

Jack Leach was the tormentor in chief

Overton opened up after the interval from the Somerset Pavilion End and soon had Moores taken at slip for 22.

Steven Mullaney joined Ashwin in a composed stand of 32, ended by a superb left-handed catch at full-stretch by Hildreth at leg slip off Bess to send back Mullaney.

Samit Patel, who had travelled down to replace concussion victim Chris Nash, could make only a single before driving at Leach and edging a sharp catch to Hildreth, this time at second slip.

It became 95 for six when Ashwin, who had batted soundly, chipped Leach to George Bartlett at mid-on, who took a low catch diving forward.

Somerset had fielded brilliantly and next it was Gregory diving on the backward point boundary to hold a chance offered by Ben Duckett, off the fiery Overton.

Luke Fletcher skied Bess to mid-off and Patterson-White was bowled by Overton, who also cleaned up Jake Ball to end the game shortly after the extra half hour was taken.

Somerset took 22 points and Notts four.

Courtesy of the ECB reporters network

For more outstanding county coverage, try The Cricketer for three issues free this summer. Click here to sign up today