Draw looms as Bears barely avoid follow-on

Somerset closed the third day 263 ahead, a commanding position but unlikely to be a winning one on a batter-friendly pitch which is not deteriorating.

- By BRIAN HALFORD ECB REPORTERS NETWORK Supported by Rothesay

WARWICKSHIRE and Somerset are heading for a Rothesay County Championship draw at Edgbaston after the home side narrowly avoided the follow on on the third day.

In reply to 498, Warwickshire were bowled out for 351, achieving the 349 follow on figure with just two wickets to spare.

Alex Davies hit 78 (186 balls), Sam Hain 78 (170) and Tom Latham 65 (158) but, on a very good batting pitch, nobody else reached 30 against a Somerset attack which kept the pressure high, led by skipper Craig Overton (four for 61).

Somerset closed the third day on 116 for three, 263 ahead overall, a commanding position but unlikely to be a winning one on a batter-friendly pitch which is not deteriorating.

Somerset's seamers opened up superbly after Warwickshire resumed on the third morning on 158 for one.