Solanki helps earn draw for Worcs

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE, New Road:
Somerset 428-6 dec drew with Worcestershire 225 and 225-4 (Somerset 12pts, Worcs 7pts)

Match scorecard

Solanki's 93 was his fourth half-century in the Championship this summer

Captain Vikram Solanki led from the front with 93 to help Worcestershire secure a draw from their rain-affected clash with Somerset at New Road.

The home side resumed the final day on 164-6 in their first innings, and were asked to follow on after being bowled out for 225, 203 runs behind.

But after being reduced to 40-2, Solanki and Ben Smith (80no) added 136 for the third wicket.

Worcestershire eventually reached 225-4 before a draw was declared.

It was a much improved second-innings batting display by Worcestershire, who looked in serious danger of losing the match, which was heavily affected by rain, after being bowled out before lunch.

Needing 115 runs to avoid the follow-on at the start of play, they had added only 16 before Arul Suppiah struck twice in two balls, first having Steven Davies caught at slip by Justin Langer, before trapping Richard Jones leg before.

Gareth Andrew held up his former county with an unbeaten 43, but could only watch as Andrew Caddick removed Chris Whelan and Matt Mason, both to catches by wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter.

He also held catches to dismiss Worcestershire openers Stephen Moore and Daryl Mitchell off Alfonso Thomas and Charl Willoughby respectively, which left the home side deep in trouble at lunch.

But Solanki launched a counter attack which saw him and Smith add 136 in just 23 overs.

Solanki was eventually out for 93 off 89 balls, losing his off stump to Zander de Bruyn, but by then his side were almost safe.

Worcestershire had another brief scare when Moeen Ali top edged a return catch to Caddick, but Smith, together with Steven Davies, saw them through to the close.

Worcestershire's director of cricket Steve Rhodes told BBC Hereford and Worcester:

"The pitch didn't do as much as we wanted it to do in that first innings when we put them in because we expected a lot more out of it.

"Matt Mason bowled very well, but unfortunately we didn't bowl well as a bowling group and it meant they got away from us.

"From then on we were really trying to get back into the game after the trouble that we had in that first full day."