James Hildreth and Peter Trego gave Somerset complete control of their relegation tussle with Worcestershire here on Saturday. Their bullying and unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 221 in 44.2 overs pushed Somerset to 565 for five. Then Worcestershire – who had won the toss and chosen to bowl – stumbled to 44 for four at tea before thunder, lightning and rain wiped out play for the rest of the day.
Hildreth, 133 not out overnight, went on to make 220 from 304 deliveries, with 29 fours and a six, while Trego was unbeaten on 130 from 143. They took it in turns to hug each other as the double century and century were reached in the same over, the seventh after lunch.
Worcestershire, looking for their first away win in the First Division since 2012, made an awful start, slumping to 15 for three in the ninth over. Brett D’Oliveira was out first ball, edging Craig Overton to second slip, where Marcus Trescothick took a juggling catch, then Lewis Gregory struck twice in the same over. First he had Tom Fell caught at first slip by Jim Allenby and then, three balls later, he uprooted Alex Gidman’s off stump with a delivery which left the batsman late.
Somerset then brought on their left-arm spinner Jack Leach and with his first ball he had Daryl Mitchell caught behind for 13, to make it 33 for four in the 16th.
The Somerset players piled on top of each other in celebration. But their joyful expressions suddenly changed to dismay when Jamie Overton emerged from the heap players with a hobble and a grimace. The bowler returned to the field after treatment to his right leg.
The umpires carried out a couple of inspections when conditions eased but bad light and finally more rain ruled out any more play.
