Somerset v Warwickshire: Tom Abell hits 95 for hosts on debut

Somerset debutant Tom Abell fell agonisingly short of a century as Warwickshire ended day two on top.

The 20-year-old made 95 but was the last wicket to fall to Jeetan Patel (4-81) as Somerset were dismissed for 286.

Earlier, Warwickshire were bowled out for 367 before Patel and Richard Jones (4-81) reduced the hosts to 153-7.

Abell and Lewis Gregory (47) fought back with a stand of 83 before Warwickshire had to see out four overs as they closed on 1-0 - a lead of 82.

Somerset had only drafted in Abell at the last minute to replace the injured Alviro Petersen, but the youngster took his chance with flying colours as wickets tumbled around him.

When Alfonso Thomas finally removed Oliver Hannon-Dalby for 40 in the morning session after he put on 62 with Recordo Gordon (14 not out) for the last wicket, Hannon-Dalby returned to remove Marcus Trescothick for 9.

Jones and New Zealander Patel then got to work as a number of Somerset batsmen got starts but could not go on.

With the hosts facing a large first-innings deficit, all-rounder Gregory took the attack to the bowlers and smashed three fours and three sixes in his 51-ball knock before he holed out to Gordon at mid-on off Jones.

Abell continued to grind his way towards a century at the other end, but with his side nine wickets down, he chipped Patel straight to William Porterfield at mid-wicket.

Varun Chopra and Ian Westwood then saw Warwickshire to stumps without any alarms.

BBC Radio Bristol's Stephen Lamb:

"Although Warwickshire are halfway favourites with an 81-run first-innings lead, the batting of Somerset debutant Tom Abell was the eye-catching performance of day two at Taunton.

"The 20-year-old locally-born batsman had been selected for his first senior appearance in any format because Alviro Petersen was unable to return from South Africa in time to take his place in the team.

"Coming in at 55-2, Abell showed patience and maturity as wickets fell successively at the other end, although the pressure on him was lessened during an entertaining knock from Lewis Gregory, whose 47 included three sixes, two struck straight off Jeetan Patel.

"But Patel had the final say when Abell was last out, caught at mid-wicket after an innings which he will undoubtedly remember for the rest of his life."