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Joe Weatherley's career best helps Hampshire pile pressure on Somerset

Joe Weatherley scored the second first-class hundred of his career Getty Images

Somerset 180 and 15 for 0 trail Hampshire 428 (Weatherley 168, Holland 81, Vince 56) by 233 runs

Joe Weatherley made his highest first-class score in a masterful knock as Hampshire racked up a massive first-innings lead in their LV= Insurance County Championship encounter with Somerset.

Opening batter Weatherley had only previously scored one first-class century, 126 not out against Lancashire in 2018, but waltzed to a brilliant 168. Ian Holland and the typically stylish James Vince notched half-centuries as Hampshire rode to 428 and a first-innings advantage of 248 runs.

Ben Green, after taking 3 for 31, and Tom Lammonby weathered six overs under the lights to end the day 15 without loss.

During one of the many rain delays during a soggy Bob Willis Trophy meeting with Essex in 2020, Weatherley approached Alastair Cook for some advice. The biggest takeaway from a wide-ranging discussion about the mental, physical, tactical and technical aspects of opening the batting was Cook's habit of "making big scores when he gets in".

Last season Weatherley only mustered a disappointing 406 red ball runs, with a top score of 78, as "getting in" proved difficult. However, his one-day skills increased exponentially, ending up the sixth-highest scorer in the Vitality Blast - which earned him a Hundred contract with Southern Brave earlier this week.

Where in the previous winter those white-ball abilities were at the forefront of his training, this off-season he sought to rebalance his attention. A lean pre-season saw more focus on his position in the team, with worries that he might be the weak link in Hampshire's push for a first Championship since 1973.

But the winter work with coaches Tony Middleton, Jimmy Adams and Graeme Welch appeared to pay dividends on a helpful pitch. Weatherley concentrated on a more side-on and compact stance, which when coupled with his stillness, has helped improve his alignment and allowed him to play the ball later. The white-ball advancement has also prevented him going into his shell.

The highly-popular Weatherley brought up his 179-ball century with a drive through midwicket. He needed a moment to compose himself before raising his bat to a packed home balcony and receiving a long hug from Nick Gubbins.

Opening partner Holland was equally confident in his 81, as the duo wiped out exactly Somerset's first-innings score of 180 in domineering style. Holland departed when turning to leg slip, but not before celebrating Hampshire's highest first-wicket stand since 2016.

Somerset's inexperienced attack toiled for most of the day but found a purple patch on either side of the second new ball. Gubbins feathered behind for an aesthetically pleasing 37, Weatherley was bowled shouldering arms - a maiden Somerset scalp for Peter Siddle - and Liam Dawson cut to cover off Ned Leonard.

Vince began his season with a dismissive back-foot drive to the cover boundary as he totted up runs at a rapid rate - his half-century coming in 64 deliveries - as Hampshire's score kept rising.

The captain was lbw for 56 and James Fuller was caught behind, before Green belatedly entered the attack to claim a career-best three-for - Ben Brown jabbed him to midwicket, Felix Organ was knocked over and Kyle Abbott lost his off stump. A run out ended the Hampshire innings before Abbott and Keith Barker gave Green and Tom Lammonby a working over in a tricky end of day spell.

Somerset 3rd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st50BGF GreenTA Lammonby
2nd4TB AbellTA Lammonby
3rd3JC HildrethTA Lammonby
4th26JC HildrethLP Goldsworthy
5th5SM DaviesLP Goldsworthy
6th4RE van der MerweLP Goldsworthy
7th0LP GoldsworthyKL Aldridge
8th3PM SiddleKL Aldridge
9th16EO LeonardKL Aldridge
10th24M de LangeKL Aldridge