BOWLERS TOIL ON TOUGH DAY FOR SECONDS AT TAUNTON

Nottinghamshire’s Seconds endured a tough day in the field despite early wickets from Ben Kitt, hosts Somerset closing day two of their friendly on 450-7, a lead of 244 on the first innings.

Somerset began the day on 194-3, trailing by 11 runs after bowling Nottinghamshire out for 204, with Tom Cooper 67* and James Regan 22*.

However, Ben Kitt got some early momentum for Notts, having Cooper caught behind for 71 with the second ball of the morning.

The hosts went in to the lead soon after but Kitt and Simon Walton ensured that they kept their side in it, reducing Somerset to 213-6.

Kitt knocked Tim Rouse’s off stump out of the ground for one before Walton had Sam Underdown caught at mid-off without scoring.

Walton struck again soon after, Regan caught at deep mid-wicket by Connor Marshall for 39, Somerset just 21 ahead as their seventh wicket fell.

However, that brought Jack Leach and Ben Green together, the Somerset lower order pair adding an unbeaten 225 for the eighth wicket by the end of the day.

By lunch, they had taken the score from 225-7 to 307-7, Green not out on 44 and Leach 31*.

Both batsmen completed their half centuries after the break, Leach’s coming from 102 balls whilst Green was slightly quicker, his landmark coming off 97 balls.

The 350 came up in the 89^th but rain stopped play shortly after with the score on 365-7, Green on 60 and Leach on 72 and no further play was possible before tea.  

Play finally resumed at 6.07pm with 24.4 overs left in the day and the Somerset pair made the most of them, Leach completing his century from 151 balls shortly after the resumption.

The 200 partnership was reached in the 102^ndover but after 105 overs bad light brought an early close with the score 450-7, the Somerset lead 244, Leach not out 123 and Green not out 89. 

Notts Outlaws will next be in action with the return of 50-over cricket for the Royal London One Day competition throughout July and August starting with a weekend at Welbeck Cricket Club. Don't miss out on the next step of our summer of cricket and secure your seats now.