Express & Star

Warwickshire facing an uphill battle

Somerset remain on course to strengthen their position at the top of the County Championship, needing just four wickets to beat Warwickshire at Taunton.

Published

Chasing 239 to win, the visitors were staring down the barrel on 103-6 at the close, with the pitch still offering plenty of assistance to the seamers.

Sam Hain was unbeaten on 43 but his side still need a further 136 to win.

Craig Overton had earlier finished with 5-31 when Warwickshire were bowled out in their first innings for 135 after resuming on 110-7.

His effort was then bettered by Liam Norwell, who claimed 7-41 on debut in a Somerset second innings of 164 all out, to which Overton contributed an unbeaten 36.

Norwell said: “I was disappointed with the way I bowled on Monday and how I got out, so I was fired up to put in a good performance.

“You always want to do well on debut for a new club. Warwickshire have been great to me and after the early-season injury I really wanted to contribute something to the team.

“The game is definitely still winnable for us. It’s a bit easier to bat when the ball goes softer and hopefully that will be to our advantage.”