Lewis Gregory took six wickets and Josh Thomas scored a maiden first-class century to help Somerset lead Yorkshire by 39 runs on the opening day of their Division One clash.
Yorkshire won the toss but chose to field first at the Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton. Under cloudy conditions, Yorkshire’s batting began steadily, reaching 124 for three wickets. Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow batted comfortably early on, but the visitors soon folded under Somerset’s pressure.
Lewis Gregory finished with six wickets for 43 runs in 16 overs, including five in the final session. Craig Overton claimed two wickets for 42 runs. Yorkshire’s late order collapsed from 124 for three to 162 all out, as Gregory removed key batsmen and Overton contributed crucial breakthroughs.
Somerset started their innings poorly at 35 for three but recovered strongly. Josh Thomas, aged 21, scored an unbeaten 136 off 150 balls, his first first-class century. Tom Abell remained unbeaten on 41 to guide Somerset to 201 for three at stumps.
Joe Root made 33 and Jonny Bairstow 34. Fin Bean top-scored with 35 for Yorkshire. The visitors lost their last seven wickets for 38 runs, with Gregory taking five wickets in a devastating spell after lunch.
Adam Lyth was dismissed early, lbw to Ogborne, before the floodlights came on. James Wharton fell for a duck after being dropped at second slip. Root and Bairstow put on a 50-run stand before Gregory broke through with a crucial wicket.
Gregory removed Root via an inside edge before Overton claimed Bairstow’s wicket. He then took three wickets in one over, dismissing Matthew Revis, Dom Bess, and Logan van Beek. His final figures of six for 43 included three wickets in a single spell.
Somerset slipped to 35 for three early in their innings. Archie Vaughan was dismissed for seven, caught behind off Jack White. Tom Lammonby followed for five, trapped lbw by Jhye Richardson’s late inswing.
Josh Thomas anchored Somerset’s recovery with a fluent half-century before tea. He reached his fifty from 54 balls with nine fours. After tea, he accelerated, hitting a six and four to surpass his previous best Championship score of 86.
Thomas and Tom Abell put together a 100-run partnership off 149 deliveries. Abell struck a six over long-on off Dom Bess to take Somerset into the lead. By stumps, the pair had added 166 runs together, securing Somerset a strong position.