Kartik spins through Kent

Somerset 205 and 128 for 2 lead Kent 172 by 161 runs
Scorecard

Murali Kartik produced an exemplary display of left-arm spin bowling to lead a determined Somerset fightback on the second day at Taunton. Starting the day on 122 for 7, the hosts added 83 to gain an unlikely batting point, with Zander de Bruyn making 44 in a total of 205 all out. Darren Stevens finished with 4 for 38 and Amjad Khan 3 for 63.

Kent looked to be progressing nicely at 76 for 1 in reply. But then Kartik got to work from the River End, sending down 14 overs unchanged for figures of 5 for 50. Alfonso Thomas returned 3 for 21 as the visitors were dismissed for 172. By the close Somerset had moved to 128 for 2 in their second innings, with Marcus Trescothick unbeaten on 59, to lead by 161.

They looked strongly placed with Kartik in such good form. The 33-year-old has now taken 26 wickets for the county in four Championship games at an average of just under 13. Subtle variations in flight and pace undid Geraint Jones, who was caught and bowled for 16, to make it 76 for 2. He had hit the previous ball from Kartik for a straight six, but the wily spinner still tossed the next one up and got his man.

Joe Denly (34), Alex Blake, Matthew Coles and James Tredwell were also undone by Kartik's guile and after Kent had gone in to tea at 164 for 8, Thomas finished off the innings by forcing edges from Malinga Bandara and Khan.

There were still 31 overs left in the day when Somerset began their second innings with Marcus Trescothick and Arul Suppiah looking to add to the 33-run advantage. They more than doubled it, taking the score to 45 before Suppiah was caught behind for 24 pushing forward defensively at Coles.

Jos Buttler hit Tredwell for a straight six and Trescothick collected two maximums by pulling Coles over backward square as they built rapidly on the steady start. Trescothick became the first player in the match to register a half-century with the total on 115 for 1. It came off 70 balls, with 4 fours as well as the 2 sixes.

Buttler played and missed several times in his 42 before being adjudged lbw pushing forward to Bandara's topspinner. But it was still a creditable knock from the England Under-19 player, who helped Trescothick add 79.