Jack White claimed a third first-class five wicket haul as Somerset built a strong first innings lead on another weather affected day in Taunton.
The 19-year-old wicketkeeper took full advantage of an LBW lifeline offered yesterday to contribute 89 to help the home side extend their first innings total from 199 for four to 412 all out, a lead of 157. Tom Kohler-Cadmore, unbeaten on 95 overnight, fell for 130, his first Somerset century, and the pair shared a fifth-wicket stand of 164. Jack White finished with five for 103.
Northamptonshire faced a tricky 20 overs before the close to start their second innings. They closed on 66 for one, still 91 runs behind, having lost Ricardo Vasconcelos and seen fellow opener Hassan Azad forced to retire not out for treatment on his hand.
The start had been delayed until 2pm by heavy overnight rain. But after that there were no interruptions and spectators saw a lot more cricket than a bleak Coronation Day weather forecast had suggested.
Rew, on 22 when play began, continued to ride his luck and might have been dismissed in the first over as he called for a suicidal single to mid-wicket off White and was relieved to see Rob Keogh’s throw narrowly miss the stumps at the bowler’s end.
The run brought up Somerset’s 200 and put Kohler-Cadmore on strike who went to his century with the first ball he faced of the morning. A cavalier innings had occupied just 72 balls and featured 16 fours and 2 sixes as Somerset’s new signing chanced his arm on a number of occasions.
Having reined himself in, Kohler-Cadmore fell when he heaved at another delivery but could only offer a sharp catch to Vasconcelos at mid-wicket. Lewis Gregory played positively for 23, helping Rew add 45 before being bowled advancing down the pitch to Tom Taylor.
Rew’s typically patient contribution ended with the total on 346 when he was bowled looking to reverse sweep the left-arm spin of Saif Zaib. Tea was taken at 354 for seven, with Somerset 99 ahead. Northamptonshire took the second new ball immediately after the interval, but 25 more runs were added before Kasey Aldridge was bowled by a beautiful Jack White delivery that flattened off stump.
Overton fell for 26 to a fine catch above his head by Sam Whiteman at long-on off White, who completed his five-for next ball as Peter Siddle was bowled having a swing.
With Northamptonshire’s second innings total on 16, Azad had to leave the field following treatment on a hand that had taken a blow from a ball that jumped sharply out of the pitch. Overton’s first three overs went for 20 and he was quickly replaced by Siddle with the score 30 without loss.
The pitch had lost much of its early greenness and was offering little in the way of seam movement. It was no surprise when Leach was introduced to try and extract some spin as early as the tenth over.
Overton may not have been at his best with the ball, but he produced a stunning left-handed catch at backward short leg off Leach to dismiss Vasconcelos, who had looked untroubled and classy in moving to 26, with the total on 63.
Skipper Whiteman was unbeaten on 29 at the close, having been joined by fellow Australian and nightwatchman Buckingham.