Brilliant Adams Century Gives Hampshire Hope

Hampshire produced one of their best batting performances all season to give them a real chance of salvaging a positive result on day three of their LV= County Championship match against Somerset at Taunton.

Earlier in the day, spinner Liam Dawson (5-139) picked up his third five-fer for Hampshire in his 100th first-class game for the club as Somerset reached 630-9 declared, a lead of 390.

But a brilliant batting display, led by Jimmy Adams (117*) who hit his first century of the season, helped the visitors lose just one wicket in 89 overs to reach 258-1 at stumps, 132 runs behind.

Michael Carberry (56) and James Vince (69 not out) also made important contributions and Somerset’s push for a crucial victory in the First Division survival battle was not helped by two dropped slip catches.

By stumps Hampshire trailed by just 132 and, while the second new ball will be available at the start of play tomorrow, they have a realistic chance of escaping with a draw on a flat pitch.

Somerset began day three on 569 for five and added 61 in 7.5 overs, Jim  Allenby making 56 and Liam Dawson finishing with five for 139 from 34.5 overs.

If scoreboard pressure counted for anything, Hampshire faced a huge task. But Adams and Carberry set about it in determined fashion, putting on 143 for the first wicket and not being parted until the 50^th over.

Carberry was dropped on 37 by Somerset skipper Marcus Trescothick at second slip off Jamie Overton and had faced 157 balls, hitting 7 fours, when he fell lbw trying to work a delivery from left-arm spinner Jack Leach through the leg side.

Adams had reached a 74-ball half-century and was unbeaten on 77 at tea, which was taken with Hampshire 151 for one.

Another key moment occurred with the score on 205 when Adams was spilled on 94 at first slip by Allenby, again off the unlucky Jamie Overton.

It was the sort of error Somerset could not afford on a typical Taunton track showing little sign of wear or assisting the seamers.

Adams went on to reach three figures off 199 balls, with 14 fours. And with Vince settling in to reach a chanceless half-century off 83 deliveries, with nine boundaries, belief was growing in the visiting dressing room.

Trescothick elected not to take the new ball in the closing stages of the day, wanting his bowlers to be fresh to use it tomorrow.

But history suggests Somerset could now face a tough task themselves to bowl out opponents also firmly intent on Division One survival.

By stumps Adams had batted for five hours and ten minutes and his stand with Vince has added 115 precious runs.

Words: Richard Latham (Press Association)