County Championship: Ian Westwood hits ton at Somerset

Westwood had only scored 177 runs in five previous Championship innings this season

Ian Westwood came good for Warwickshire after a disappointing season as his century saw them to 334-9 on day one against Somerset at Taunton.

The 32-year-old opener, playing only his fifth Championship game of the summer, hit 19 fours in his 129.

It was a much-needed contribution after skipper Varun Chopra went for a duck and Jonathan Trott managed only nine.

Rikki Clarke (42) gave solid support, while seamers Craig Overton (3-59) and Lewis Gregory (3-97) bowled well.

Play did not begin until noon because of a wet outfield, with Somerset third in the Division One table, 16 points behind leaders Yorkshire, and Warwickshire immediately below them four points further back.

The home side gave a Championship debut to 20-year-old batsman Tom Abell, and he eventually brought Westwood's innings to an end by taking a catch at point from the bowling of Gregory, who had dropped him in the slips earlier in his innings.

However, Gregory did accept a gully chance to send Chopra on his way from the fourth ball of the day's opening over bowled by Alfonso Thomas.

Will Porterfield (17) added 64 with Westwood, but from 62-1 at lunch, they slumped to 144-5 before Clarke shared a sixth-wicket stand of 67 and Richard Jones (35) helped put on 53.

Clarke and Jeetan Patel (20) both fell to Overton, who had Trott caught behind during the afternoon session, but Warwickshire's final pair of Oliver Hannon-Dalby and Recordo Gordon prevented them being bowled out before the close.

BBC Radio WM 95.6's Mike Taylor:

"This was a compelling day's cricket and a typically modest Ian Westwood should be thrilled after an innings of high quality, in which his timing of attacking strokes was a feature.

"Making the most of an early dropped chance, he glued together Warwickshire's innings, and they prospered later in the day.

"A number of lower-order regulars are missing for the Bears but they showed they still had batting strength, even down to the last pair who played well to add important runs.

"There was plenty of good bowling to enjoy too, mostly in the first two sessions, with Craig Overton particularly catching the eye. The pitch started green, but made for good cricket, and the dust visible as the ball pitched in the third session will interest the spinners."