Hampshire v Somerset LVCC Day 3 21st August 2008

Tomlinson leading LVCC wicket-taker

Ian Blackwell's second LV County Championship century of the season helped Somerset towards a first innings lead over Hampshire at The Rose Bowl Tomlison took 2 wickets

Blackwell puts Somerset in charge

(ECB Match Report)

Ian Blackwell's second LV County Championship century of the season helped Somerset towards a first innings lead over Hampshire at the Rose Bowl.

At the close of the third day Blackwell was undefeated with 104 as Somerset finished 69 ahead with three first innings wickets remaining.

Blackwell reached the 20th century of his career with his ninth four and had faced 174 balls at stumps, his total also including a crunching a six over long-off against the spinner Imran Tahir.

Somerset went eagerly in search of quick runs after a large portion of the first two days had been lost to rain.

They resumed on 41 without loss in their first innings in reply to Hampshire's 316 and wasted no time in attempting to pick up the bonus points they needed to go top temporarily of the Division One Championship table.

They were pegged back at the start by left-arm pace bowler James Tomlinson who removed opener Arul Suppiah and Zander De Bruyn at 55 before Somerset began to take control around the formidable figure of former England opener Marcus Trescothick.

Trescothick was in typically belligerent form smiting 11 fours and a six - off Liam Dawson - on his way to 65 before sweeping Dawson to midwicket where Chris Benham held the catch.

England under-19 star Dawson then superbly ran out James Hildreth with a direct hit from cover after the Somerset batsman had hit five fours in his 50.

Tahir removed Wes Durston at 197 leg before wicket trying to sweep and Craig Kieswetter was caught in the bat and pad position by James Adams off Tahir after making 28.

But then Blackwell was joined by Peter Trego to take the game away from Hampshire in an aggressive stand of 88 for the seventh wicket.

In the process both reached their half centuries, overtaking Hampshire's total as they did so, before Trego became Tahir's third victim at 339 when he was adjudged leg before.

But Blackwell was in no mood to slow down and with Alfonso Thomas they developed an eighth wicket stand of 46 which remained unbroken at the close.

Tahir was the most successful of the Hampshire bowlers on a good batting surface, taking 3-125 from 37 overs while Tomlinson took 2-77 but Somerset were firmly in control.

Thomas was 19 not out but content to let Blackwell dominate the Hampshire bowling which was lacking the cutting edge of injured England bowler Chris Tremlett.

Day 4 starts at 11.00 am and tickets are available on the gate at £15 for Adults and £12 forSeniors/Students and £5 for Juniors (Under 16's)

Scorecard