Hildreth hundred lifts Somerset

Somerset 349 for 5 (Hildreth 133*, Trescothick 85) v Worcestershire
Scorecard

James Hildreth helped himself to a fourth first-class century of the season as Somerset batted themselves into a strong position against Worcestershire on the first day of their LV= County Championship game at Taunton.

The 30-year-old batsman began the season in fine form with centuries in April against the MCC and Middlesex, but this was his first since scoring a fine 115 against the touring New Zealanders on May 11 and it helped Somerset to 349 for 5 at stumps.

Having chosen to bowl first, Worcestershire briefly thought that day one would belong to them when Jack Shantry trapped Johann Myburgh lbw for nought, at 8 for 1.

However, on a wicket that gave the Worcestershire seamers plenty of early encouragement, Marcus Trescothick and Tom Cooper added 108 for the second wicket before the latter edged Joe Leach to Alex Gidman at 116 for 2.

Cooper might have been short of first-class runs this season, but he struck the ball positively and was understandably miffed when he picked out the former Gloucestershire captain Gidman at first slip, three balls after lunch.

Trescothick continued to bat with due care and attention and having passed 23,000 first-class runs during the morning session and 50 from 94 balls, shortly before lunch, he was eventually bowled by Brett D'Oliveira for 85, at 209 for 3.

It was not only an innings of significance in terms of the game, but one that rolled back the years. The 39-year-old county captain took precious few chances throughout his 175-ball stay at the crease, but punished anything that was either too full or short and wide.

Hildreth picked up where Trescothick left off and passed 13,000 first-class runs in between lunch and tea. His half-century came off 63 balls with nine fours and with Jim Allenby providing solid support at the opposite end, Somerset edged ever closer to maximum batting points.

The fourth-wicket pair took 18 overs to post their 50 partnership, with Hildreth reaching three figures off the fifth ball of the 80th over. He faced 143 deliveries and hit 17 fours.

To their credit, Worcestershire continued to bowl with purpose, but with Hildreth looking better and better by the over, Somerset continued to make hay. Hildreth and Allenby registered the highest partnership of the day, with the latter becoming the fourth batsman to pass 50, with eight overs remaining.

Shantry eventually found the outside edge of Allenby's bat at 331 for 4, but that disappointment apart, it was a decent day for Somerset.