Somerset went some way towards silencing those who have criticised their championship form when they reached 403 for 9 against Warwickshire by close of play at the County Ground in Taunton.

One of the loudest cheers of the day was saved for Matt Bulbeck who edged the fourth ball of the penultimate over of the day bowled by Graham Wagg past the wicket-keeper to the boundary to bring up the 400 and gain what could be a vital fifth batting point for the Cidermen.

Earlier Mike Burns had been unfortunate to miss out on what would have been a thoroughly-deserved century against his old county when he fell to a dazzling catch for 95, and there was a typical gutsy 110 from Ian Blackwell.

Blackwell's knock met with the approval of the large crowd who enjoyed the entertainment as he smote his way to his century off 86 balls, which included two enormous sixes and sixteen fours.

On the way to his century `Blackie' shared in a sixth wicket partnership of 115 with Rob Turner who continued his run of good form with a well struck 35.

At the end of the day Somerset captain Jamie Cox, who earlier had scored 29 told me: "We played some good cricket today. Perhaps we were a bit disappointed when we lost those wickets after Blackie was out, but to post 400 runs in a day, and to score quickly now gives us the chance to win the game."

Mike Burns told me: "To get 400 is not a bad effort, and if we field and bowl well then we are in with a chance of getting on top. We have been on the back foot for a while so it's nice to get on top for a change."

Somerset coach Kevin Shine told me: "This was a much better day for us. There were some excellent contributions from some of the lads, especially Ian Blackwell.

"We got five batting points which we haven't done for a while which gives us something to bowl at. If we can push our score up to 450 tomorrow that will be a bonus."

© SOMERSET