Trott heads south to rescue Bears

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE, Edgbaston:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY THREE: Somerset 323-8 dec, Warwickshire 156-3
5-8 August 2009 (Somerset 4pts, Warwicks 2pts)

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Match scorecard

Jonathan Trott made up for missing the chance of his first England Test cap

England discard Jonathan Trott headed south from Headingley to help rescue Warwickshire from potential trouble against Somerset at Edgbaston.

Justin Langer's declaration at 323-8 immediately put the home side under pressure as Charl Willoughby reduced the Bears to 24-2.

But, after his 125-mile drive from Headingley, Trott appeared at 61-3.

And he hit eight boundaries in an unbeaten 40, supporting Tony Frost (71 not out) as the Bears closed on 156-3.

An overnight downpour added to the time lost.

Coming on top of last week's rain-affected third Ashes Test at Edgbaston, by the time the third day got under way an hour after lunch the weather had chopped 175 overs out of this game.

After a second day dominated by Marcus Trescothick's fifth Championship century of the season, the balance swung towards the seamers as Somerset lost six wickets in a session despite James Hildreth's progress to an undefeated 86 from 88 balls.

The 24-year-old batsman picked up from where he launched his season - scoring 303 not out against Warwickshire at Taunton in April. But Langer's declaration denied him an opportunity to complete a 13th career hundred.

Avoiding the problems that beset a string of partners, Hildreth continued to score at a brisk rate as Boyd Rankin and Chris Woakes shared five wickets at a personal cost of 59 runs in their afternoon spells.

And, despite being dropped by Neil Carter at mid-wicket, Hildreth was still going strong with 13 fours when Somerset called time on their innings to effectively end young Nathan Newport's Warwickshire debut.

The son of former Worcestershire and England paceman Phil Newport's young batsman's only role proved to be as a fielder before Trott arrived to take his place.

After Willoughby had trapped Ian Westwood with his fifth ball, then also dislodged Jim Troughton, Carter (24) scythed a chance to first slip off Alfonso Thomas.

That was the cue for Trott's return but surely only in time to save this match - not to win it.