County Championship Division One - day one (close)

Hampshire 142-9 v Somerset 106

SOMERSET fought back with the ball on an eventful first day's play against Hampshire which saw 19 wickets fall at the Ageas Bowl.

The hosts ended with a slender 36-run lead with one wicket remaining, largely thanks to a patient half-century from Sam Northeast, after Somerset had earlier slumped to 106 all out having won the toss and opted to bat.

Somerset made one change, bringing Josh Davey in for Dom Bess, and that immediately looked a wise decision as it soon became clear that conditions favoured seamers.

Hampshire opened with one current and one former South African international paceman in Dale Steyn and Kyle Abbott, and the latter was first to strike as Marcus Trescothick (13) prodded forward and edged behind.

Azhar Ali (12) and Ben Green (26) made steady progress until Ian Holland (2-5) removed both, after which the middle and lower order offered little resistance.

Abbott went on to complete a five-for as Somerset slipped from 71-3 to 74-6, which then became 106 all out shortly after lunch.

Davey provided the visitors with an ideal start with the ball, removing Oliver Soames before the hosts had scored, and Lewis Gregory then removed Joe Weatherley (4) and James Vince (0) in the space of three balls to reduce Hampshire to 12-3.

Jimmy Adams and Northeast battled hard for the remainder of the afternoon to add 47 for the fourth wicket, and it took the reintroduction of Davey to break the stubborn partnership as the Scottish international had Adams caught behind for 31 from the final ball before tea.

Jamie Overton picked up two quick wickets on the resumption - including an unplayable delivery that almost became a leg-break (see below) - as the hosts slid to 68-6, but Northeast and Liam Dawson frustrated Somerset's bowlers in adding 56 for the seventh wicket - the largest stand on a tough day for batting.

Dawson provided Ben Green with a maiden First Class wicket, chipping back a return catch on 31, and Overton then picked up the key scalp of Northeast with a beauty that hit the top of the batsman's off stump.

Steyn (5) was clean bowled by Davey soon afterwards, but Abbott and Fidel Edwards saw the hosts through to the close of an action-packed day.

Given the furore that accompanied the pitch in Taunton after 22 wickets fell on the opening day against Lancashire last week, it remains to be seen whether this wicket will attract similar scrutiny.

Speaking after the close, Davey said: “The wicket had a lot in it for the seamers and there was a lot of movement.

“They have an attack full of international quality on show who made it difficult for us.

“They haven’t got a big lead at the moment so we need come back in the morning and take that last wicket very quickly.

“I tried to keep it simple with the new ball and try and get it to move it around off the wicket. I just want to make the batsman play it.

“We were confident with the toss and we backed ourselves to put a good score on the board.

“They are allowed to bowl well and they made it hard for us.

“Northeast and Dawson played well and they got a partnership together - the longer you bat, the easier it becomes and they showed that.”