THE standout performances of Somerset’s young guns was the only shining light on an otherwise disappointing day for Matt Maynard’s side – who are staring down the barrel of another heavy LV County Championship defeat at Edgbaston.

Craig Overton returned career best figures of 6-74 – to take his season tally of first class wickets to 39 in just eight matches – as Somerset dismissed Warwickshire for 365 in their first innings.

But trailing by 100, Somerset crumbled to 170 all out - thanks mainly to the efforts of Tom Abell, who was left high and dry on 88 not out, 12 runs short of his maiden first class century.

Abell, whose highest first class score of 95 came against Warwickshire at Taunton last season, hit 13 fours in his 124-ball knock – but the next highest score for Somerset was Tom Cooper’s 21, as they were bowled out inside 52 overs, leaving Warwickshire needing just 71 to win.

It was a bitter-sweet day for 21-year-old Abell, who later admitted to having mixed feelings after his innings.

He said: “I was happy with the way that I batted - however, I want to do it in a successful cause and it has been a disappointing day for us here.

“It wasn’t easy out there and they bowled pretty well and kept us under pressure all day, but we couldn’t get a rhythm going when we were batting.

“It has been a stop-start day but these are the things you have got to contend with.”

Warwickshire closed day three on 6-0, needing another 65 runs to win.