Title rivals take a draw

Peter Trego: took the only wicket to fall on a short first day at Taunton

Alfonso Thomas: claimed two wickets to reduce Nottinghamshire to 48-3

James Hildreth: unbeaten 62 pushed Somerset in front by the end of day three

Alex Hales: half-century helped Nottinghamshire to safety on final day

Somerset were unable to push for victory on the final day at Taunton as their rain-ruined fixture against Nottinghamshire ended in a tame draw.

A solid half-century from opener Alex Hales and 46 from James Taylor helped the visitors comfortably bat out time - they were 176-5 when the two counties shook hands.

They had come out to bat a second time trailing by 93, Somerset having narrowly missed out on a second batting point when they were bowled out for 249.

James Hildreth added 20 runs to his overnight total of 63 before he was dismissed by the part-time spin of Adam Voges.

England off-spinner Graeme Swann took 3-62 in the Somerset innings, including seeing off lower-order pair Abdur Rehman (17) and Gemaal Hussain (29).

With Alfonso Thomas missing from the home attack, Nottinghamshire were able to comfortably erase the deficit. They take seven points while their opponents get six, an unsatisfactory outcome for either with title rivals Warwickshire winning.

Day Three

Somerset gained the upper hand in a low-scoring clash with Nottinghamshire thanks to an unbeaten half-century from James Hildreth on day three.

Replying to the visitors' total of 152 in the rain-hit Division One encounter at Taunton, Somerset finished the day on 187-6, meaning a lead of 31.

Hildreth reached the close unbeaten on 63, hitting 11 fours and sharing in a valuable 91-run alliance for the fourth wicket with Jos Buttler (39).

Nottinghamshire were compromised by the absence of their most effective bowler, Andre Adams, who still took 2-53 despite a tweaked hamstring, and left-arm paceman Harry Gurney.

They had started the day on 48-3 but lost six more wickets in the morning session before being bowled out 15 minutes after lunch in just 54.4 overs.

Captain Chris Read played a typical, counter-attacking innings of 52 from 76 deliveries, the wicketkeeper-batsman striking a six and 10 boundaries.

Day Two

Alfonso Thomas struck twice but rain again dominated on the second day of the potentially pivotal clash between Somerset and Nottinghamshire.

The visitors closed on 48-3 in their first innings at Taunton after only 15.4 overs of play had been possible on Thursday, at least surpassing the 8.1 managed on the opening day.

After the start of proceedings had been delayed until 2.15pm, Thomas sent back Michael Lumb (16) after a successful lbw appeal that left the batsman a little perplexed.

The same bowler also saw off Alex Hales, though the opener could have no complaints about his mode of dismissal when an ambitious drive only resulted in Marcus Trescothick pouching a comfortable catch at second slip.

Rain intervened at 3.05pm and, although play restarted at 5.25pm, only a further 4.2 overs were possible before another shower brought an early finish.

James Taylor, fresh from his impressive Test bow for England at Headingley, was solid in defence to be unbeaten on three off 26 balls for Nottinghamshire.

Day One

Only 8.1 overs of play were possible on the opening day of the crucial LV= County Championship match between Somerset and Nottinghamshire.

The clash between the two Division One title rivals at Taunton got off to a damp start as rain meant the action didn't get underway until 4.40pm.

Somerset wasted little opportunity in having a bowl after winning the toss and struck at the start of the ninth over when Peter Trego dismissed Riki Wessels.

The Nottinghamshire opener edged to second slip where Marcus Trescothick took a comfortable catch, sending Wessels on his way for just six.

However that proved to be the final action of the day, yet more rain forcing the players from the field with the score at 18-1.

The wicket took all-rounder Trego's tally in the Championship this season to 41 - only Andre Adams of Nottinghamshire and Tim Murtagh of Middlesex have taken more in the top tier.

Sky Bet Odds: