Somerset finished the first day at Edgbaston 109 behind Warwickshire with seven wickets in hand, but will have to do without the services of strike bowler Richard Johnson for the rest of the match, after he left the field early on during the morning with a hamstring injury.

After winning the toss Warwickshire batted first, and looked like being dismissed cheaply before Graham Wagg ( 42 not out) and Melvyn Betts (23) came to the rescue by putting on 65 for the ninth wicket to enable their team to reach 230 all out.

The pick of the Somerset bowlers was Steffan Jones, who on his return to the championship scene ended with 4 for 46 from his 16.1 overs.

The Cidermen's reply got off to the worst possible of starts when Piran Holloway was dismissed without any score on the board, and six runs later his opening partner Matt Wood followed him back into the pavilion.

Mike Burns and Peter Bowler then steadied the Somerset innings, sharing a third wicket partnership of 104 before the acting captain was bowled by Duggie Brown for 54.

At the close of play Peter Bowler remained unbeaten on 54, with night watchman Steffan Jones yet to score as Somerset had reached 121 for 3 off 35 overs.

Afterwards Kevin Shine told me: "It was a good effort from all of the boys today, especially after losing one of our big guns early on. Steffan bowled well today, but I'm pleased with them all, they all knuckled down well after losing Johnno."

He continued: "When we batted Mike Burns and Peter Bowler shared an important partnership to put us in a good position, and tomorrow we will be looking to get a lead."

© SOMERSET