Somerset vs Hampshire: Day 1| Somerset bundled out for 180 despite Hildreth’s heroics

Despite a masterful knock of 87 by James Hildreth, Somerset were bowled out for just 180 runs in their first innings against Hampshire in the County Championship (division one) game in Southampton. After that, the solid opening stand between Joe Weatherley and Ian Holland has taken Hampshire to 109 without a wicket, thereby placing them firmly in the driver’s seat at the end of the first day. 

After winning the toss, the Somerset skipper Tom Abell took a brave call to bat first on a fresh wicket against the likes of Mohammad Abbas, Keith Baker and Kyle Abbott. This decision started backfiring the Taunton-based cricket club soon as the Hampshire seamers reduced them to 61 for five within just 28.3 overs. Abbas was astute with his lines and took the crucial wickets of Ben Green and Lewis Goldsworthy. 

The experienced left-arm seamer Keith Baker disturbed the stumps of Steven Davies, whereas Kyle Abbott picked the crucial wicket of Tom Abell, getting the Somerset skipper caught by Joe Weatherley. Ian Holland also did his job nicely by being accurate at one end. 

The allrounder’s persistent efforts didn’t go in vain as he found the edge of the promising opener Tom Lammonby straight through to the keeper Ben Brown. 

However, James Hildreth kept fighting for Somerset at one end and formed a crucial partnership of 73 runs with Roelof Van der Merwe for the 6th wicket. After James Fuller shattered Merwe’s stumps, Hildreth stitched a small stand of 24 runs with the young Kasey Aldridge and finally got bowled by Liam Dawson at the team score of 158. Still, Somerset was able to reach 180 before Baker hit the final nail in the coffin by dismantling the stumps of Marchant de Lange.

In reply, the Hampshire openers Joe Weatherley and Ian Holland stood firm in the middle and made everyone believe they were batting on a different surface. While Weatherley smashed nine gorgeous boundaries for his unbeaten knock of 65 off 108 balls, Holland remained not out on 41 with the help of 5 fours. 

Among Somerset’s bowlers, only Peter Siddle looked effective as the veteran Aussie seamer went for just 1.6 runs per over in his nine overs. The other bowlers were disappointing, to say the least, as they conceded 94 runs in 23 overs combined, thereby releasing the pressure off the Hampshire openers.     

Brief Scores: 

Somerset (1st inns): 180 all out, James Hildreth- 87, Van der Merwe- 28, Keith Baker- 3/33, Liam Dawson- 2/10, Mohammad Abbas- 2/28

Hampshire(1st inns): 109-0, Joe Weatherley- 65*, Ian Holland- 41*