County cricket: Abell defies Hampshire’s fiery Baker to keep Somerset on high – as it happened

Former captain struck second hiscentury of season to light flames in West Country hearts while Warwickshire beat Essex

Three in the over for Barker! Charlie Allison, bowled by one that may have kept a bit low. Essex 16 for three...

​Early wickets in sunny Brumbados, Keith Barker striking first ball from the Pavilion End as Dean Elgar is trapped lbw offering no shot. In comes Tall Paul to join Sam Cook, who spared him the hassle last night but has since squirted Barker’s third ball of the day to cover. That’s Barker’s 700th career wicket across formats. Essex 16 for two (need another 190) and an inauspicious start.

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Hampshire v Somerset, Warwickshire v Essex, and more: county cricket – as it happened

Hampshire were frustrated by Somerset’s wagging tail, while Ethan Bamber and Keith Barker kept Warwickshire in the hunt at Edgbaston

At Southampton, Kyle Abbott is hustling with admirable vigour. Baker still running in from the other end, elbows horizontally churning. Rew (85) and Abell (41) have now put on a hundred for the fourth wicket. Somerset 175-3, 63 behind.

And three for Jimmy Anderson, two in an over, old teammate Will Williams lbw and Henry Brookes caught. Gloucestershire all out 136, and I predict a couple of days of toil in the field.

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