Somerset face a serious struggle to save their County Championship clash at Worcestershire today after a fine century from Gareth Roderick gave the home side a commanding lead of 137 runs.

The final Worcestershire total of 451-9 dec. could have been worse for Somerset, but for a quick two-wicket burst from England spinner Shoaib Bashir, who is looking to build on his impressive performances in the Test arena in India.

A superb 194-run partnership between Jake Libby (97) and Roderick, who finished on 122, put the home side in control and Bashir’s removal of Libby and Kashif Ali in quick succession was the highlight of a tough day in the field.

Brett D’Oliveira (66) and Joe Leach (43 no) stretched the Worcestershire lead and Somerset will start today on 5-1 after Jason Holder removed Sean Dickson for a duck in the final few overs on Sunday.  

Shoaib Bashir told the club website: “I wasn’t expecting to bowl so many overs today but I was quite surprised it started spinning when I came on. As the day progressed, the ball started to spin less and fair play to Libby and Roderick for the way they batted out there.

“I’ve worked on changes of pace. Out in India the pitches are slower so I knew I had to maybe bowl a bit quicker into the wicket. I feel I’ve got a bit more consistent with that.

“I’m enjoying being back playing for Somerset. I only joined last year and the boys are incredible and I love playing for them. They keep my feet on the ground. I’m quite a humble guy and I know what God has given me could easily be taken away from me.”