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Willoughby wrecks Indian batting

Last updated on: July 17, 2011 01:04 IST
Somerset's Charl Willougby celebrates after dismissing Yuvraj Singh

Led by some inspiring bowling from Charl Willoughby (5 for 50), Somerset made a mockery of the famed Indian batting line-up as the visitors were reduced to 138 for 8 at stumps on Day 2 of the warm-up game in Taunton on Saturday.

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Replying to Somerset's 425 for three declared, the famed Indian batting line-up, including star batsman Sachin Tendulkar, failed miserably on a featherbed wicket to trail Somerset by 287 runs with just two wickets and a full day's play in hand.

Gambhir dismissed after quick-fire 21

Last updated on: July 17, 2011 01:04 IST
Gautam Gambhir

Gambhir made 21 in quick time, hitting no less than five fours, before throwing his wicket away.

Opener Gautam Gambhir (21) was Willoughby's first victim as he nicked one to Jos Buttler behind the stumps in the fifth over of the innings. Willoughby then sent back Gambhir's opening partner Abhinav Mukund (18) just after tea reducing the Indians to 51 for 2.

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India's veteran batsman Rahul Dravid (17) couldn't last long and later Yuvraj Singh was dismissed for a duck as Willoughby rattled the Indian top-order.

If Willoughby accounted for the top four Indian batsmen, it was 19-year-old Craig Meschede who got the prized wicket of Tendulkar, which was also his maiden first class scalp.

Sreesanth ends Suppiah's stay at the wicket

Last updated on: July 17, 2011 01:04 IST
India bowler S Sreesanth celebrates the wicket of Arul Suppiah

Wriddhiman Saha then wasted what could turn out to be his only visit to the middle on the tour. He played a Peter Trego delivery with an open face straight to Buttler behind the stumps.

Zaheer Khan made a few wild slashes before he lost his stumps to a sharp incoming delivery from Alfonso Thomas.

Willoughby then came back to claim his fifth wicket in the form of Amit Mishra (6), who mistimed a push into the hands of the covers.

Earlier, Somerset took charge of the game after declaring their innings at a massive 425 for 3.

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With rain washing away the entire morning session, Somerset, who resumed at 365 for three, lost overnight batsman Arul Suppiah for 156 after adding just 36 runs in the afternoon just before Raina had dismissed Nick Compton.

Suppiah guided a Sreesanth delivery into the hands of the lone slip fielder, Rahul Dravid after batting for 344 minutes and having faced 256 balls during which he hit 15 fours and a six.

Jones, Hildreth prop Somerset

Last updated on: July 17, 2011 01:04 IST
Chris Jones

Somerset threw their bat to great advantage and added 96 runs off just 21 overs on Saturday.

Middle-order batsmen Chris Jones (51 from 70 deliveries) and James Hildreth (30 from 28) scored at lightening pace to put Somerset on top, taking them 425 for 3.

Earlier, persistent downpour had delayed the start of second day's play in the practice game between India and Somerset.

After rain played spoilsport in the morning session, the two teams have agreed to play 100 overs each.