Tom Banton’s 92 helps Somerset overcome Worcestershire wobble

Leach returned to the attack after lunch and picked up some tangible rewards for his earlier efforts as Tom Lammonby drove hard and perished to a sharp catch by Holder at second slip. New batter Banton was beaten twice in an over from Waite as Worcestershire searched for further success.

It was Holder who struck just before tea when Umeed, having battled away for two-and-a-half hours for 47, pushed forward and keeper Gareth Roderick did the rest. It left Umeed three runs short of registering his first first-class half century for Somerset.

Rew (3) then nibbled at a Holder delivery and provided Roderick with another catch and it became three wickets in 12 balls for the allrounder when Gregory played back and was lbw. Worcestershire tried to press home the advantage after tea and there was a second deserved wicket for Waite as Aldridge (9) went lbw to a delivery angled in.

But Banton continued to play with aggression and freedom and a four to third man enabled him to complete a 91-ball half-century. Pretorius decided ultra aggression was the best policy and raced to 49 off 34 balls before the new ball denied him a half century, the safe hands of Holder low down at slip accounting for an edge off Leach.

Banton looked set for a century but on 92 he pushed Gibbon to mid-off and failed to beat D’Oliveira’s direct hit to the non striker’s end.