DIFFICULTIES over Warwickshire captain Brian Lara's travel arrangements, which almost caused him to miss their first match of the season, occurred again yesterday when he reached Taunton too late for the AXA League match.

Lara had returned to Trinidad on business early last week and was expected back on Saturday evening. Complications, involving a delayed departure and a diversion to Gatwick, ensured Lara finally arrived 20 minutes after the start.

Meanwhile Warwickshire, uncertain how close Lara was, had had to declare a team. Unsurprisingly, they looked out of sorts after being put in on a green pitch and, having been dismissed for 96, lost by four wickets.

Somerset's chief executioners were Cambridge Blue Steffan Jones with five for 23, his wickets all coming inside 19 balls at a cost of one run, and Andrew Caddick, omitted by England, who thoroughly deserved figures of three for 24.

Caddick made the early pace, bowling Neil Smith as he made room to drive and then knocking back David Hemp's off stump. Jones replaced him and found Dominic Ostler's outside edge, then Graham Rose had Trevor Penney palpably lbw.

Next ball Nick Knight was caught behind off Jones, Ashley Giles and Dougie Brown soon following suit. Warwickshire were 51 for eight when Mohamed Sheikh was bowled first ball but recovered slightly to reach 96 all out.

During the tea interval Somerset's new stand was named after Ian Botham and opened by Botham himself to great acclaim, but the big crowd quietened when Ed Giddins bowled Mike Burns first ball.

Giddins and Brown bowled accurately but it was Sheikh who made further inroads by dismissing Rose. Injudicious strokes cost the wickets of Mark Lathwell, Simon Ecclestone and Piran Holloway as Somerset declined to 69 for five.

However Keith Parsons kept cool and despite the departure of Rob Turner, Somerset got home comfortably with 7.3 overs to spare.