Nick Gubbins century grinds Somerset in the direction of submission
Somerset 137 (Barker 5-32) and 102 for two (Dickson 63*) want 400 runs to beat Hampshire 308 (Dawson 115, Brook 5-56) and 330 for 3 dec (Gubbins 139*, Vince 63, Middleton 52)
Nick Gubbins effortlessly struck his third LV=Insurance County Championship as Hampshire floor Somerset in the direction of submission on day three on the Ageas Bowl.
Left-handed batter Gubbins gracefully hit an unbeaten 139 – his highest rating for Hampshire since becoming a member of from Middlesex – to maneuver previous 900 runs within the Championship this season.
Together with Fletcha Middleton and James Vince‘s half-centuries, Gubbins led Hampshire to a 501-run lead having compelled Somerset to wallow within the south coast warmth.
Facing a minimal of 128 overs to bat out, the guests slumped to 38 for two however Sean Dickson‘s unbeaten 63 held them collectively. They reached the shut on 102 for two with 400 nonetheless required to win.
Hampshire’s title ambitions had been ended by 11am by Surrey’s victory over Warwickshire.
Their openers Toby Albert and Middleton had tediously scored 45 runs in 23 overs the earlier night, however their lack of journey paid dividends, having taken a lot of the lacquer off the ball. They batted with extra intent as they took their partnership to 80 with little fuss, Middleton reaching his fourth fifty in his debut season.
They each fell inside 4 overs of one another, Middleton bowled two balls after reaching the milestone and Albert was caught and bowled by New Zealander Neil Wagner, on his Somerset debut.
Gubbins had been extremely gradual, on a fair slower pitch, within the first innings to take his seasonal strike fee to the third lowest in Division One – solely Dom Sibley and Luke Proctor have been slower for individuals who had scored greater than 200 runs.
This time round he confirmed an attacking aptitude, taking a part of a cover-drive battle with Vince as he reached 50 in 81 balls. The 135 balls his subsequent century got here in, have been the quickest of his six tons for Hampshire.
Lewis Gregory, though on the pitch, was not used in any respect on day three, whereas fellow opening bowler Jack Brooks solely bowled 5 overs earlier than the declaration.
As such, Gubbins and Vince – whose 50 got here in 66 balls – discovered the going straightforward with little strain constructed to cease them from scoring at will. The run fee from the morning session 3.94 earlier than transferring to 4.97 within the afternoon.
Vince was caught from behind to finish a 162-run stand, however Tom Prest picked up the place he left off to proceed the movement of runs with Gubbins – who’s having fun with the second-best Championship season of his profession. The pair added 79 collectively earlier than the long-awaited declaration got here at tea.
Liam Dawson was the primary fear for Somerset, with the occasional spin extra threatening than tempo on a feather-bed. And it got here to move because the left-armer had Tom Lammonby stumped together with his third supply.
Tom Abell adopted when James Fuller’s additional tempo was edged to second slip, the place Vince took a pointy catch.
Dickson and Andy Umeed confirmed tenacity and a spine important to avoid wasting Hampshire from defeat. Dickson, specifically, appeared in good order to achieve his half-century in 86 balls.