Somerset 309 for 9 dec and 5 for 1 (Holder 1-1) path Worcestershire 451 for 9 dec (Roderick 122, Libby 97, Ball 3-72) path by 137 runs
Roderick combined decided defence with aggressive stroke-play in serving to Worcestershire earn a primary innings lead of 142. His partnership of 194 with Jake Libby was the bedrock of Worcestershire securing 4 batting bonus factors.
Bashir had loved a quiet begin to the season after his 17 wickets in his opening three Checks in India with two wickets in matches towards Surrey at The Oval and Nottinghamshire at Taunton. However he settled into a great rhythm on a wicket providing some flip, eliminated Libby and Kashif Ali in fast succession, and requested questions of all of the batters throughout a 28-over spell.
Somerset had been left three overs batting and Jason Holder made an early breakthrough in dismissing Sean Dickson.
The Libby-Roderick stand was one other instance of the superb partnership they’ve cast because the latter was promoted to open after 5 video games of final season. Libby once more batted with nice authority earlier than being dismissed three runs wanting his second ton of the season.
He’s in prime kind and has amassed 349 runs to this point this summer time at a median of 69.80. Contributions down the order from Adam Hose, membership captain Brett D’Oliveira and Joe Leach ensured Worcestershire pushed dwelling their benefit.
Sterling work by the ground-staff meant play was capable of get underway at 12.10pm after heavy in a single day rain with solely 10 of the doable 96 overs misplaced. Worcestershire resumed on 107 for one with Libby and Roderick’s stand to this point value 84.
The century stand was accomplished from 177 balls and each batters appeared comparatively snug and scored freely. Roderick introduced up his half century from 115 balls with one of many pictures of the morning, a again foot sq. drive for his eighth 4 at Kasey Aldridge’s expense. Roderick was lucky to inside edge Migael Pretorious for 4 throughout a probing spell.
Libby appeared set to achieve three figures however the introduction of spin within the type of Bashir led to his downfall. He went to drive a supply which turned and got here again in and was bowled. His 189-ball knock contained 16 boundaries.
Bashir struck once more when the in kind Kashif Ali, who had struck him for six over lengthy on, performed again to a different supply which spun again in and was plumb lbw. A 3rd wicket fell in fast succession when Rob Jones performed ahead and was comprehensively bowled for a second-ball duck, giving Pretorious a deserved scalp.
Adam Hose went on the offensive from the beginning of his innings and his first seven scoring pictures had been boundaries. He raced to 39 and accelerated Worcestershire in the direction of three batting bonus factors earlier than he nicked Ball to vast first slip.
Roderick introduced up his century within the ultimate over earlier than the second new ball was taken with a fast single to mid on off Bashir. He had time to strike Bashir for a straight six earlier than, on 122, making an attempt to hit Ball excessive and choosing out mid off.
Jason Holder (12) went lbw to Lewis Gregory taking part in again and Matthew Waite (5) was bowled aiming a giant hit off the identical bowler. However D’Oliveira, finishing his first half century of the summer time, and Leach batted with goal and intent to elevate the entire previous 400 and the 4 factors.
Their stand was value 84 in 16 overs when D’Oliveira was caught behind off Aldridge and declared. However there was nonetheless time for Holder to have Dickson caught behind by that man Roderick.
