Hampshire continued their stranglehold on the current County Championship fixture with Somerset taking place at the Utilita Bowl. They punished Somerset’s ineffectiveness going the other way to the fullest. Bowled out for an underwhelming 184 runs, Somerset’s performance failed to live up to the occasion, especially after a bright start. With Hampshire’s bowlers excelling and their batsmen building a substantial lead, the match is firmly in Hampshire’s control heading into day three.
Brad Wheal and James Fuller both shone, sharing eight wickets between them, four apiece. Wheal finished with 4 for 46, and Fuller 4 for 42 to rip through Somerset’s batting order. The Hampshire bowlers certainly tested the Somerset batsmen throughout the innings. Craig Overton was not able to fend off a superb rising delivery from Wheal and edged through to the hands of the wicketkeeper.
Somerset’s batting crisis continued apace as Middleton followed Stoneman shortly after. Now, local boy Migael Pretorius had previously taken full advantage of perhaps the biggest gap between bat and pad seen all season, toppling the middle stump. Even as the team capitulated, Pretorius offered key resistance, holding out at the crease for an unbeaten 47 runs. His wider contribution was significant – he led an invaluable tenth-wicket partnership of 48 runs. While the combination put Somerset on track for the grand total, it was still way below par.
In reply Hampshire started their innings in blistering fashion, Nick Gubbins picked up from where he left off in the match at Kia Oval, scoring 58 not out to guide his side home. His defensive style of play at the crease raised the respect, admiration and awe from cricket fans across the globe. He made his wicket a priority and used superb technique against a limited bowling attack. Gubbins played well – profiting from some poor fielding by Somerset. This throwaway error opened the floodgates for Hampshire to score runs in droves.
It was the start of a dominant Gubbins and Pretorius partnership. They aided Hampshire to a swift 48 runs from just 84 balls in under an hour’s play. Pretorius was nearly looking at a hat-trick of his own, as he bowled Prest with a beautiful delivery. Unsportsmanlike conduct was the reason given when, unfortunately for him, umpire David Milne called it a no ball, thus ending his chance at the impossible dream. Even with the drop, Prest made the most of the bowlers’ bad balls. He hit seven fours in his quick innings.
As day two drew to a close, poor light stopped play early. Now with a promising first-innings lead, Hampshire poised to build a hefty one. It’s been the perfect blend of outstanding bowling and dependable batting that has now handed Hampshire full control of this match.
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