COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE, Taunton:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY TWO: Somerset 205 & 128-2, Kent 172
Somerset 4pts, Kent 3pts
Match scorecard

Somerset celebrate dismissing Kent opener Sam Northeast

Murali Kartik took five wickets before Somerset's batsmen put them in control against Kent on day two at Taunton.

After resuming on 122-7, a ninth-wicket stand of 38 between Zander de Bruyn (44) and Kartik took Somerset to 205.

Kent were well placed at 76-1 in reply, but when Kartik (5-50) accounted for Geraint Jones it sparked a collapse that saw them slip to 172 all out.

Marcus Trescothick then hit an unbeaten 59 as Somerset moved to 128-2 at the close, a lead of 161.

De Bruyn, who had watched on from the other end as Somerset collapsed last on the first day, helped the visitors add 83 runs in the morning session to earn an unlikely batting point.

Kent were progressing well in their reply until Kartik, who sent down 14 overs unchanged at the River End, started the rot by having Jones caught and bowled.

Joe Denly (34), Alex Blake, Matthew Coles and James Tredwell were also undone as Kent slipped to 164-8 at tea before Alfonso Thomas (3-21) mopped up the tail after the break.

There were still 31 overs left in the day when Somerset began their second innings as openers Trescothick and Arul Suppiah (24) more than doubled their lead with a first-wicket stand of 45.

When Suppiah was caught behind off Matt Coles, Jos Buttler (42) joined Trescothick to add 79 for the second wicket before falling lbw to Malinga Bandara before the close.

Kent Spinner James Tredwell told BBC Radio Kent:

"The wicket's been a bit lively the first couple of days - it's offered a bit for most of the bowlers but it looks to have flattened out a bit now and they're getting a few runs.

"But you never know, a couple of wickets our way and the game could still be ours.

"Obviously we've got to bat last on it so hopefully it does stay reasonably good for that and we can have a go at chasing down whatever we keep them to.

"Marcus Trescothick is probably the key to their innings and with him there on 60 it would be better to see the back of him. If we can get two new batters in at the crease then we will see."

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