In the most unlikely occurrence, both Roelof van der Merwe and Marchant de Lange were instrumental for Somerset, but not with the red ball, rather with the willow.

All-rounder Van der Merwe scored 76 while paceman De Lange was out for 75, his fifth first-class 50. Colin Ackermann is on 22 not out in Leicestershire’s response, while neither De Lange nor Van der Merwe have got a wicket in the first innings.

Elsewhere, Pieter Malan got a start for Warwickshire but could only manage 31 against Durham where the star of the County Championship, David Bedingham, is yet to bat.

In the match where James Anderson picked up his 1,000th first-class wicket, Lancashire skipper Dane Vilas was out for eight in a low-scoring day at Old Trafford.

Northamptonshire’s Wayne Parnell picked up 2-26 in the first innings and has taken one in the second innings against Yorkshire. His batting didn’t go as well, he was out for a duck. Parnell’s captain, Ricardo Vasconcelos, batted well for 55. On the other side, Duanne Olivier picked up 1-17 for Yorkshire.

In Hove, Stiaan van Zyl’s tough season at Sussex continued. He was out for just five while fellow left-hander Colin Ingram did not do much better, going for seven.

Leus de Dlooy managed 30 as Derbyshire were bowled out for 149 against Nottinghamshire, while Dane Paterson bowled well and ended with 2-24. When Derbyshire was out in the field, left-arm quick Michael Cohen was solid with figures of 2-43 so far.

At the Rose Bowl, Hampshire piled on the runs scoring 488. In Surrey’s reply, Hashim Amla is still there at stumps on 24*. Kyle Abbott picked up one wicket for Hampshire.

© Agence France-Presse