Somerset vs Hampshire | Day 3 | Hampshire seals victory as Abbas and Fuller roll over Somerset

Hampshire has clinched an easy victory over Somerset on the third day of their opening game, courtesy of a terrific bowling performance by Mohammad Abbas and James Fuller. Somerset, who were bundled out for just 180 in their first innings, had a more forgettable outing on Saturday as they were bowled out on a paltry total of 135 in the second innings, thereby giving an innings-victory to their opponents.  

When they resumed the third day from 15 for no loss, the Somerset openers Ben Green and Tom Lammonby seemed determined to bring their team back into the match. Both these batters looked solid in the middle and faced the seaming thunderbolts of Abbas and Abbott with distinction. They added 50 runs for the first wicket before Green found his stumps cartwheeled by James Fuller in the 21st over. 

After the fall of Green’s wicket, Somerset’s innings started moving downward. The Somerset batters were clueless against Fuller as the 32-year-old sent back Tom Abell and Lammonby in his next two consecutive overs. Although James Hildreth and Lewis Goldsworthy put some effort to rescue their side, the former’s dismissal in the hands of Abbott in the 30th over was a massive knockout punch on Somerset’s face. 

If this wasn’t enough, Steven Davies, Roelof Van der Merwe and Goldsworthy were dismissed in the span of just 19 deliveries, which acted as salt in the wounds of the Taunton-based cricket club. However, Kasey Aldridge’s 50-ball-25 provided some consolation to Somerset before being eventually bundled out for 135. 

From Hampshire, Mohammad Abbas was the wrecker-in-chief as he took four wickets for just 22 runs. James Fuller, who triggered the collapse of Somerset’s batting lineup, finished as the second-best Hampshire bowler with impressive figures of 3 for 23. The remaining three wickets were divided equally between Kyle Abbott, Keith Baker and Liam Dawson. 

This emphatic victory by a margin of an innings and 113 runs over Somerset has provided Hampshire with 23 points, thereby placing them on top of the points table in their group.

Brief scores: Somerset (2nd inns)- 135 all out, Tom Lammonby- 32, Kasey Aldridge- 25, Mohammad Abbas- 4/22, James Fuller- 3/23

Result: Hampshire won by an innings and 113 runs