Opener Ben Slater turned the 13th hundred of his career into an unbeaten 168 on the final day of Nottinghamshire's Vitality County Championship contest against Somerset, with the home side declaring on 425-2 just before 5pm.

The hosts take 13 points from the encounter, with Somerset taking 15.

Only one wicket fell in 72 overs on the day, Slater finishing on his third-highest career score, with overseas batter Will Young making 68 not out after Olly Stone had been out for 63 nine overs after lunch - the England fast bowler again showcasing his batting capabilities.

After sharing an opening partnership of 172 with Captain Haseeb Hameed that was broken shortly before Tuesday’s close, Slater found two more long-term companions in Olly Stone and Will Young.

Stone ostensibly joined him as nightwatchman before close of play on day three, going on to make 63 and taking his tally for the game to 146 - making two half-centuries in one game for the first time in his career.  

The paceman had made only one half-century in 47 first-class matches before an impressive 90 against Lancashire at Trent Bridge back in May, but now has three in his last five innings.

His defence was solid and he had helped Slater add another 136 before Jake Ball, using a belatedly taken second new ball, thudded one into his front pad as he played across the line.

Slater, meanwhile, whose stand with Hameed had been the highest for Nottinghamshire’s first wicket since the two shared an unbroken 236 against Worcestershire in 2021, was by then into three figures for the first time this season, reaching the century mark with a six and 12 fours, a good proportion of which clunked into the advertising boards on the Bridgford Road side as the left-hander cut and pulled to profitable effect.

When Stone departed, Nottinghamshire’s lead was 198, and Slater and Young continued about their business in a similar vein.

Slater went on to push past 150 for the third time in his career, having ticked off that milestone from 317 balls with 19 fours to go with the one six. By tea, at 396 for two, the lead was 286 with 37 overs remaining.

New Zealand Test opener Young, who scored an unbeaten 174 in the drawn match between these sides at Taunton earlier in the season, reached his second half-century for the Green and Golds this campaign - and the third-wicket pair's stand was worth 117 when the teams opted to shake hands.

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Notts Outlaws' next home Vitality Blast clash sees them entertain Leicestershire Foxes on Friday 5 July.

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