West Indies chasing big target at Taunton

The final day of the Vodafone Challenge match at Taunton between Somerset and the West Indies promises to be exciting. Having dominated the first three days the county side have set the tourists a stiff target. In pursuit of the 439 they need for victory they have so far reached 5-1, with Chris Gayle the man out.

Whilst winning may not be imperative, the West Indies will want to demonstrate that their batsmen can at least put in a more disciplined performance ahead of the 5th Test which begins at The Oval on Thursday.

For their part, the sponsor's carrot of £11,000 as the first county team to beat the West Indies should provide Somerset with plenty of incentive.

From 142-5 at tea in their second innings, with a lead of 340, Somerset, who chose not to enforce the follow-on, moved swiftly to 179-5. Then, with both Michael Burns (44*) and Ian Blackwell (18*) going well, a heavy shower sent the players scurrying to the pavilion.

After a fifteen minute delay play resumed and Burns moved on to his second 50 of the match (79 balls 5x4's).

With instructions clearly sent out to the middle both batsmen threw the bat at everything in the search for quick runs. Having put on 98 for the sixth wicket in 17 overs Ian Blackwell lashed Gayle to extra cover where Wavell Hinds took a routine catch. Blackwell had made 39 and Burns was unbeaten on 78 as skipper Cox called the players in with the score on 240-6dec. Gayle had picked up 4-86.

Chasing 439 to win the West Indies again made an awful start, with Chris Gayle chopping his second delivery onto his leg stump. Despite his second innings' wickets, Gayle has only made four runs with the bat in this match, hardly enhancing his Test claims. Wayne Phillip came to the crease, as nightwatchman, to join Adrian Griffith.

Earlier, in the West Indies first innings, Mahendra Nagamootoo reached his maiden first class century before his side were dismissed for 290, a deficit of 198. Reon King had been unable to bat nor did he take the field when Somerset chose to bat again. Rob Turner (43) and Adrian Pierson (48) put on 77 for the first wicket before Chris Gayle dismissed them both.