Holland sparks a Somerset exodus

Hampshire 211 for 9 dec (Dawson 53, Gregory 3-51) lead Somerset 135-8 (Holland 4-16, Berg 3-26) by 76 runs
Scorecard

Ian Holland manufactured a Somerset batting collapse as Hampshire gained an upper hand on day three of their Division One Specsavers County Championship clash at the Ageas Bowl.

The Australian all-rounder took 4 for 8 in just four overs to leave the visitors reeling.

Hampshire had been frustrated firstly by a completely washed out first session and when played did start at 5:20, Eddie Byrom and Adam Hose initially piled on the runs. The second wicket saw 77 runs as debutant Byrom reached an unfussy 43 before Holland, playing only his fourth first-class match, entered the attack.

The Zimbabwean opener struggled to adjust to the slower pace and tamely chipped a dolly catch to George Bailey at mid-off.

The wicket sparked a flurry of departures, as Holland struck again in his second over as James Hildreth was hit on the pads.

After a wicketless over, Holland was at it again as he had Somerset captain Tom Abell caught behind before repeating the trick to see off Steven Davies two balls later.

Holland could not be kept out of the action when the ball was taken out of his hands, as Lewis Gregory slipped while taking off for a quick single, before Holland at backward point threw to Lewis McManus, who ran the batsman out.

Gareth Berg was surprisingly brought into the attack to replace Holland, who completed the session with figures of four for 16 - his best first-class figures.

But the shock of seeing the in form bowler out the attack was lessened when the South African had Hose - who had kept his head down to reach 48 - leg before to his first delivery of the new spell.

Craig Overton was the final wicket to fall before the interval as he clipped Berg to Jimmy Adams at midwicket.

Somerset had fallen from 102 for one to 135 for 8 in 14 spectacular overs but rain during the supper interval made sure the players failed to return to the field again.