24-07-2018, 02:58
Morning: The Somerset innings came to a timely end when Jack Leach was caught at slip off the bowling of Ed Barnard, but that was the only joy Worcestershire took from the morning. With 337 the deficit, the Pears managed to lose no less than five wickets in the remainder of the session as the top order were blown away with some ludicrously soft dismissals.
Afternoon: It went from bad to worse after the interval with Barnard and debutant Alex Milton removed in the space of four balls, leaving the Pears 120-7, and the power hitting of Ross Whiteley could only register another 26 runs as the home side slumped to 166-8. However, at that point Worcestershire inexplicably enjoyed their best spell of the game as loanee Luke Wood, ably supported by Dillon Pennington in just his second Championship game, put on 65 during an 84-run ninth-wicket partnership that saved the follow-on in style.
Evening: The happily wagging tail was sadly clipped shortly after tea as Worcs were bowled out for 257; a deficit of 80 that just about keeps the Pears in the match. From there, Somerset's mission was to make it through to close without losing a wicket, and frustratingly, despite good spells of pressure and a couple of half-chances, they succeeded.
"I would rather spend a holiday in Tuscany than in the Black Country, but if I were compelled to choose between living in West Bromwich or Florence, I should make straight for West Bromwich." - J.B. Priestley