Alfonso six-for puts Somerset on top
Alfonso Thomas claimed 6 for 60 - his best figures in English first-class cricket - as Sussex were bowled out for 245 by Somerset on the opening day of the County Championship match at Taunton
02-Aug-2011
Alfonso Thomas claimed 6 for 60 - his best figures in English first-class cricket - as Sussex were bowled out for 245 by Somerset on the opening day of the County Championship match at Taunton.
The 34-year-old all-rounder, making only his third appearance in the competition this season, bowled with pace and skill from the River End to cause havoc, beating the bat on numerous occasions in sending down 22.1 overs.
Ed Joyce (59) and Murray Goodwin (55) bolstered the Sussex total but Murali Kartik took two for 63 and Steve Kirby two for 43 in an impressive Somerset bowling display.
By the close the hosts had replied with 36 for one, the Championship's leading run-maker Marcus Trescothick falling to a slip catch off Ollie Rayner for 14. Kirby made the first breakthrough for Somerset as Chris Nash, on 14, waved his bat at a wide delivery and top-edged a comfortable catch to James Hildreth at first slip.
Luke Wells enjoyed some good fortune against Thomas before the seamer got his man via an outside edge to wicketkeeper Jos Buttler, standing in for Craig Kieswetter who is away playing for England Lions. Joyce had played well to reach his half-century off 92 balls with eight fours. But in the final over before lunch he fell leg-before to Thomas and it was 97 for 3 at the break.
Michael Yardy looked in good touch making 31 before a poorly executed pull shot off Kirby saw him well caught by Charl Willoughby to his left at fine leg.
At 156 for 4 much depended on Goodwin, whose top score of 344 not out was made at Taunton. He was still there at tea, but by then Ben Brown (23) and Ollie Raynor (10) had departed to Buttler catches off Thomas and the scoreboard read 215 for 6.
Goodwin reached his fifty off 107 balls with six fours before losing his wicket in uncharacteristic fashion, cross-batting Kartik to deep mid-wicket where Hildreth took a simple catch running in. Somerset were through to the tail and Monty Panesar shouldered arms to Thomas to departed lbw before Joe Anyon gave Buttler his fourth catch, feathering a leg-side delivery from Kartik.
When Wayne Parnell (19) drove a catch to mid-off, Thomas completed his first six-wicket haul in the Championship. His career-best figures remain seven for 54 in South African cricket for Titans against Cape Cobras in 2005-06.
Sussex ended the day on a high when Trescothick pushed forward to Rayner and edged to Yardy.
