Somerset edge a fluctuating day

James Hildreth overcame a freak injury in the warm-up to hit a fluent 73 as Somerset ran up 328 for 7 on the opening day against Essex at Taunton.

The 25-year-old batsman slipped while playing a game of touch rugby and had to go to hospital for stitches after a team-mate's studs left him with a cut knee. Hildreth dropped a place down the order to five, but then produced a typically attractive 110-ball innings, including 12 fours.

Nick Compton (72) and Zander de Bruyn (73) also made significant contributions, but David Masters (3 for 54) ensured Essex stayed well in the game. On a slower than normal Taunton pitch, Somerset struggled after winning the toss, losing Arul Suppiah with the total on 15, lbw to Masters on the back foot for seven.

Marcus Trescothick managed only 12 runs in the first hour and on 19 the Somerset skipper mistimed a leg-side shot and spooned a catch to Ryan ten Doeschate at square-leg. Compton, making his home debut, looked confident from the start and reached his half-century off 81 balls, with seven fours.

He and de Bruyn took the score to 142 before Compton top-edged a sweep off left-arm spinner Tim Phillips and was caught at short fine leg by Masters. Hildreth and de Bruyn then took control and Somerset were well placed at tea with the total 213 for 3.

Soon after the interval de Bruyn lost his middle stump aiming a loose drive at ten Doeschate. The South African had faced 144 balls and hit 10 fours in a stylish knock. Still it seemed the home side were on course for a formidable score as Hildreth produced a succession of his trademark shots through point to reach fifty off 73 balls, with eight fours.

But from 286 for 7 Somerset self-destructed. First Hildreth had his off bail removed by Masters as he shouldered arms to the second new ball. Jos Buttler, the wicketkeeper replacement while Craig Kieswetter represents England in the World Twenty20, had played well to reach 36 when a loss of concentration saw him lift Masters to John Maunders at short cover.

That was 305 for 6 and without addition Damien Wright was run out without facing a ball as he reacted slowly to Peter Trego's call for a single to mid-on. Maurice Chambers did the damage with a direct hit. Trego was 30 not out at the close with the first day honours appearing about even.