Day two: Somerset (197 & 39-0) need 220 runs to beat Hampshire (162 & 293)

HAMPSHIRE are trying to defend 258 in the final innings of their Specsavers County Championship match against Somerset at Taunton.

Somerset’s 19-year-old off-spinner Dom Bess claimed 7-117 to finish with a match haul of 10-162 in only his fifth first-class appearance as Hampshire were bowled out for 293 in their second innings.

Starting day two on 157-5 in reply to 162, Somerset were all out for 197, with Kyle Abbott (4-49) and Liam Dawson (4-63) the pick of the visitors’ attack.

Hampshire then eased to 84-0 either side of lunch, Michael Carberry making 51, before Bess took a hand, claiming the first five wickets in a collapse to 140-6.

It was the third time in his four Championship appearances that the 19-year-old off-spinner has taken five or more wickets in an innings.

Despite his efforts, Hampshire enjoyed the better of a day that began with Somerset 157-5 in reply to 162.

The morning was dominated by Hampshire, aided by some poor shots from the Somerset tail. Abbott and Dawson both added to their first day victims, while Berg wrapped up the innings with two wickets.

By lunch the visitors had comfortably wiped out a 35-run deficit on first innings, reaching 54-0.

After the break Carberry and Dawson extended their opening stand to 84 before a see-saw contest took another turn.

Carberry drove Bess in the air to cover where James Hildreth parried the ball into the path of extra cover fielder Tom Abell. It signalled a collapse to 140 for six, Bess claiming the first five wickets to fall.

Carberry departed in Bess’s sixth over and Liam Dawson (33) was caught behind in his seventh - before George Bailey went for a golden duck.

Rilee Rossouw (13) was lbw but the pick of his deliveries beat James Vince in the flight as he advanced and bowled him through the gate for 19, a cameo that included two sixes and a four. 

Throughout the afternoon Hampshire batted in cavalier fashion and at first it seemed the approach might be their downfall.

When Jack Leach bowled Lewis McManus aiming a big swing the ball after hitting him for six, the lead was only 105 and Somerset looked to have regained the initiative.

But Gareth Berg had other ideas, striking seven fours and two sixes on a turning pitch in his 39-ball 49 as Hampshire's tail wagged to considerable effect.

When he became Bess’s sixth victim, Hampshire were 206-7.

But after Kyle Abbott’s 30-ball 33 Reece Topley shared a priceless last-wicket stand of 36 with Crane.

Crane's career-best 29 eventually ended when he was caught at mid-on to give Bess, who sent down 23.3 overs, turning the ball at just the right pace, his seventh wicket.

It has been an extraordinary start to the career of the young Sidmouth cricketer, who already boasts 23 wickets in seven Championship innings, having made his debut towards the end of last season.

He also took an excellent running catch at third-man to dismiss the dangerous Sean Ervine for 27 off Jamie Overton, who bowled well for his two for 43.

Somerset were left with ten overs in the day to bat and set about their target with vigour, Marcus Trescothick taking three boundaries in an over off Topley. He was unbeaten on 21 at the close, with Dean Elgar 17 not out.

After his heroics, Bess said: "It feels a bit surreal. I was concentrating so hard on trying to take wickets for the team that I didn't really think too much about my figures.

"The pitch flattened out as the day wore on and I was particularly pleased to get batsmen out when that became the case. It gives me confidence to know I can take wickets, even when conditions are not greatly in my favour.

"I am 100 per cent confident that we will win tomorrow. We have an excellent batting line-up and if we can overcome the new ball, which will bounce a bit, I think it should become easier to score.

"I still have so much to learn and the Hampshire batsmen put me under pressure today by going for their shots. I'm pleased with the way I responded to that."