SOMERSET were forced to settle for a high-scoring draw against Leicestershire in this week's LV= Insurance County Championship fixture at Taunton, after the visitors reached 475-7 in reply to the home side's 461-9 declared.

Somerset had dominated the opening two days at the Cooper Associates County Ground, with overseas star Devon Conway making 88 on his First-Class debut in an opening stand of 143 with Steve Davies (65).

The hosts then slipped to a somewhat precarious 224-7, only for a career-best score of 75* from Josh Davey, alongside valuable contributions from Roelof van der Merwe (76) and Marchant de Lange (75), taking Somerset up past 460.

Having declared, the home side reduced Leicestershire to 60-3 on the afternoon of the second day's play.

But Colin Ackermann hit back with 67, and Harry Swindells advanced to a career-best First-Class score of 171*.

With Craig Overton a last-minute call-up to the England ODI squad, Somerset were unable to shift Swindells - who batted for almost six-and-a-half hours, facing 322 balls - or his partner in an unbroken eighth-wicket stand of 203, Ed Barnes (83).

Heavy rain set in during the lunch interval on the final day (Wednesday), causing play to be abandoned.

De Lange claimed 3-110 for the hosts, and Jack Brooks 2-76.

Somerset director of cricket Andy Hurry said afterwards: "There is no doubt that if Craig Overton had been with us for the whole game, we would be looking at a different outcome.

"That's frustrating, but we fully understand the rationale behind England calling him up and it is a great opportunity for him.

"It also provided chance for young Kasey Aldridge, who bowled with absolutely no luck.

"We go into the final game top of the table, which is fantastic, and it promises to be a really exciting climax to the group stage as we take on Surrey next week."

Somerset lead the Group 2 standings with 134 points from nine games, ahead of Hampshire (123 from nine), Surrey (112 from nine) and Gloucestershire (109 from eight), with the top two teams going through to Division 1 and the chance to compete for the Championship and Bob Willis Trophy titles.

Before that Surrey match (July 11-14), Somerset travel to Hampshire for a Vitality Blast fixture (July 9, 6.30pm).