George Bartlett hit a classy, free-flowing 152 from 136 balls for Northamptonshire 2XI on Day 2 against Somerset 2XI at Taunton Vale.

Bartlett was joined for most of the day by James Sales who impressively made 77 but the 2XI still found themselves 317 all out and trailing Somerset 2XI by 114 runs.

The strong Northamptonshire 2XI side bowled first on Day 1 and captain Saif Zaib took four wickets to leave Somerset 2XI 389/8.

Zaib picked up his fifth wicket early on in Day 2 and Somerset 2XI were 431 all out and Zaib finished with figures of 5/79 from 27 overs bowled.

In reply to Somerset’s innings Northamptonshire 2XI got off to a troubled start, losing their two openers in the space of 5 overs. Saif Zaib was in the middle with Bartlett and the pair put on a 70 run partnership before Zaib fell in the 20th over for 29.

Two overs later Bartlett brought up his fifty, the Somerset Academy graduate hitting at just above a run a ball.

Joined by James Sales at the crease, the pair played very nicely together, bringing up their 50 partnership up in 61 balls. Sales and Bartlett scored freely and Bartlett brought up a classy century in the 36th over, striking his ton in 97 deliveries, with eighteen fours and two sixes.

The milestones continued to be brought up before tea as Sales reached his 50 and Bartlett reached his 150 the following over.

By tea, Northamptonshire 2XI were 277/3, with Sales on 63 and Bartlett 151. Unfortunately Bartlett fell on 152 in the second over after tea, ending his brilliant innings and rounding off the 181 run 4th wicket partnership with James Sales.

Bartlett’s mammoth innings saw the 26 year-old launch 24 fours and 5 sixes, striking at 111 along the way.

Charlie Oldershaw was next in but was trapped in front straight away and suddenly Heywood was on a hat-trick. Rishabh Upadhyay saw off the hat-trick ball as Northamptonshire were 278/5 shortly into the evening session.

After James Sales was dismissed for a very well made 77, the 2XI collapsed, losing their last four wickets for just 16 more runs.

Late in the day Somerset 2XI had the chance to press ahead with their first innings advantage. They closed the day 62/2 after twelve overs, leading by 176 runs.