Somerset defeated Warwickshire by one innings and 82 runs in the LV = County Championship Division One match at Taunton with Jack Brooks winning 4-44; Ben Mike makes 99 no but fails to save Leicestershire from 10-wicket loss to Middlesex in Division Two clash at Lord’s
Somerset’s Jack Brooks celebrates after taking the wicket from Warwickshire’s Danny Briggs
Somerset completed an excellent team display by defeating Warwickshire by one innings and 82 runs within three days of their LV=Insurance County Championship Division One game at Taunton.
After starting with three successive losses, Tom Abell’s team, who made 458 in their first innings, are really on their feet having completely outplayed the champions.
They quickly took the last wicket of the first innings from Warwickshire in the morning to dismiss them for 209 and secure a 249 lead, then eliminated them for 167 for the second time.
Jack Brooks led the way at 4-44, but it was an impressive collective effort, with all five bowlers used getting between the wickets and keeping the pressure on the batsmen, with Craig Overton claiming 2-41 and Jack Leach 2-35.
Sam Hain (43, 116 balls) and Will Rhodes (29, 93 balls) added 68 from 30 overs for Warwickshire’s fourth wicket, but it was an isolated display of defiance in an innings in which two wickets fell within five balls in four times. .
Ben Mike was left stranded at 99 when his exciting fast-break innings failed to save leicestershire from a 10-wicket loss in three days at the hands of the hosts Middlesex in its division two clash at Lord’s.
Mike followed up his 4-15 record 24 hours earlier with a magnificent hitting display, surpassing his previous career best of 74, only to be left without teammates one shy of a well-deserved century.
His efforts took the visitors to 272 for the second time and ensured that Middlesex, who was a light bowler due to an injury to Tom Helm, had to bat again.
However, Toby Roland-Jones’ 3-67 meant the hosts needed just 52, a goal that starters Mark Stoneman and Sam Robson chased in just over 10 overs to seal a second win of the season.
