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Cox savages Notts

Somerset (229-5) bt Nottinghamshire (228-9) by 5 wkts

A Dull, cold day was matched by the quality of much of the cricket; batting misjudgments and a plenitude of poor deliveries.

Somerset were handicapped by losing Andrew Caddick after six overs, the last three bowled after ricking his back, and Marcus Trescothick was carried off after twisting a knee.

But Jamie Cox, the captain, made light of the casualties to forge a century from 102 balls which showed Nottinghamshire the folly of their profligacy.

Michael Burns, brilliantly run out by Mark Bowen with a direct hit from mid-on, only paved the way for the Tasmanian and Piran Holloway to put on 171 in 31 overs.

By the time Cox had his leg stump flattened and the left-hander was run out by Paul Johnson's throw from deep square leg attempting a third run, Somerset were within touching distance of a third win and the maintenance of their 100 per cent record although wickets tumbled in the gloom to add an unwanted element of chance.

Nottinghamshire started brightly, Paul Franks hitting the first three balls from Paul Jarvis for boundaries, before getting an inside edge. Johnson fell to a wild shot, Jason Gallian touched an outswinger and Tim Robinson chased a very wide ball to give Rob Turner four catches.

The home innings was salvaged by Chris Read, the wicketkeeper, who followed last week's run-a-ball 44 with his best score in this sort of cricket, 62 from 50 deliveries, including 10 boundaries.

Matthew Bulbeck bowled poorly but silly batting allowed him to return his best figures.

A final flurry came from Richard Stemp and Alex Wharf, two former Yorkshire players, who added 42 in six overs of near farce, the former registering his best effort at this level.