Stokes & Bedingham shine against Somerset
Ben Stokes has taken 11 wickets since making his Durham seasonal debut last week
- Published
Vitality County Championship Division One, Seat Unique Riverside (day one)
Somerset 171: Pretorius 53, Banton 36; Stokes 4-54, Siddle 3-27, Raine 3-41
Durham 177-6: Bedingham 100*, Robinson 46; Ball 3-41, Overton 2-52
Durham 3 pts, Somerset 2 pts
A late fightback from Somerset left their County Championship game with Durham finely poised, despite starring roles from Ben Stokes and David Bedingham.
Stokes took four wickets to restrict Somerset to 171 all out in their first innings while Bedingham led Durham's reply with an unbeaten century on day one of the Division One contest at an overcast Riverside.
Having been put in on a grassy pitch, Somerset had their backs to the wall for most of the day, but Migael Pretorius, who was later replaced by Jake Ball due to concussion, got his second 50 of the season and Craig Overton had the hosts in a spot of bother at 19-3.
Ball took three late wickets including those of Stokes and Ollie Robinson, but Bedingham got his century just before close to leave Durham 177-6, six runs ahead with four wickets intact.
Durham skipper Scott Borthwick elected to bowl and it was soon justified as openers Tom Abell (four) and Matt Renshaw (five) falling cheaply - the latter to Stokes.
Lammonby then edged Stokes behind for 22, before Andy Umeed was caught off Peter Siddle at second slip for nine.
Ben Raine had James Rew leg before wicket for 13 and in the first over after lunch Siddle struck twice in two balls, removing Gregory and Craig Overton.
Tom Banton's defiance ended when, on 36, he chipped Raine straight to mid-wicket.
Stokes grabbed his third of the day when Josh Davey was lbw for 10, then saw Pretorius edge to second slip on 53 to wrap up the Somerset innings.
That was Pretorius' last action of the match as he was substituted after being struck on the helmet prior to his dismissal, with Ball replacing him.
Durham's reply started badly as Alex Lees was run out for three while backing up, then Colin Ackermann edged Overton to second slip and Borthwick was lbw.
Bedingham and Robinson responded well but the latter fell to Ball for 46, bringing Stokes to the crease.
The England Test captain then departed for a duck after Ball trapped him lbw and the former Notts paceman struck again to remove Graham Clark for one.
Just before close Bedingham reached his fourth consecutive Championship century from 103 balls, giving Durham the edge going into day two.
Report supplied by the ECB Reporters' Network
