[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

County Championship, Division One

vs Somerset

Day One

Morning: Rather surprisingly, the Pears elected not to contest the toss and put Somerset straight in to bat on a green top pitch which the visitors obviously believe will only improve. At first, the decision from captain Joe Leach seemed to be vindicated with the quick removal of both openers, but as occurred last week, the home side steadied the ship with a long partnership that the Pears struggled to break. It would be harsh to point fingers, because the bowlers beat the bat time and again without reward, and the only two clear-cut chances were tricky catches dropped behind. Nevertheless, on a tough pitch Somerset made it through to lunch just three down.

Afternoon: After a desperately unlucky morning, the Pears got their reward after lunch with a Somerset collapse, and Ed Barnard was the man of the hour with a first five-fer in first-class cricket, richly deserved after terrorising the home side with any number of variations. Without the century from overseas debutant Matt Renshaw, Somerset would have been in deep trouble. As it was, 202 on a tough pitch with wickets tumbling all over the country seemed like a worryingly decent score...

Evening: And predictably, at the crease the Pears fell to pieces. Only Travis Head could cobble together a respectable 49 as eight wickets fell in the long final session. At close of play Worcs are 153-8, with Ed Barnard the only man left capable of piling on a few runs and dragging us anywhere close to parity. Once again, Worcestershire are already chasing the game with the prospect of batting last. Some real fireworks needed with both bat and ball tomorrow.