Gloucestershire 343 and 246 for five (Charlesworth 64, O. Price 53, Hammond 53) lead Somerset 248 (Imam-ul-Haq 90, Rew 44*, T. Price 5-75) by 341 runs
That gave Gloucestershire a primary-innings lead of 95, which they cemented by scoring 246 for five of their second innings, Charlesworth contributing 64, Price 52 and Hammond 53.
A deficit of 341 will imply a testing closing day for Somerset’s fragile batting line-up if the thunderstorms which were forecast all through the sport proceed to remain away.
After the beginning of play had been delayed by ten minutes following rain, the hosts added solely 4 to their in a single day rating earlier than Sajid Khan was caught behind seeking to information a brief ball from David Payne over the slips.
The Pakistan off-spinner made it clear he didn’t agree with the choice, repeatedly pointing to his shoulder because the contact level.
James Rew, unbeaten on 35 at the beginning, and Jack Brooks added 35 for the final wicket, the latter high-edging a six off Price earlier than falling for 21 to the subsequent supply, caught at third slip.
Teenager Rew completed unbeaten on 44 after practically 4 hours of intense focus. But Somerset fell two runs in need of a second batting level and shortly their seamers have been once more struggling to search out any help from the Cooper Associates County Ground pitch.
Charlesworth and Marcus Harris took the Gloucestershire second-innings rating to 35 earlier than Harris was bowled off stump by a superb supply from Josh Davey.
By lunch, the rating had progressed to 49 for 1 and the guests led by 144. Soon Charlesworth and Ollie Price have been constructing on it comfortably within the afternoon sunshine.
Price went to his second half-century of the match, off 97 balls, with 9 fours, earlier than turning into a primary Somerset sufferer for Sajid, caught at slip trying a reverse sweep.
Sajid bowled tightly from the River End till Hammond launched him for a straight six and had figures of 1 for 39 from 17 overs at tea, which was taken with Gloucestershire 143 for two.
The lead was 238 and Charlesworth was 4 in need of fifty. The tall left-hander remained affected person at the beginning of the ultimate session and reached the landmark off 179 balls, with 4 fours.
Sajid continued to point out wonderful management and there was no urgency to Gloucestershire’s batting, with Charlesworth and Hammond content material to build up steadily.
The floodlights have been turned on with 18 overs nonetheless left within the day’s play. Tom Lammonby supported Sajid with a good spell of left-arm seam and claimed the wicket of Charlesworth, caught at slip driving with the rating on 192.
The stand with Hammond had added 68, however occupied 32.2 overs at a time when their group might need pressed for a declaration earlier than the shut.
With Gloucestershire’s innings becalmed, Somerset opted to not take the second new ball at 196 for 3. Brooks changed Lammonby, who had conceded simply 14 runs from ten overs.
The stranglehold was damaged as Brooks’ first two overs value 14. James Bracey survived a stumping probability off Sajid in a bid to additional raise the tempo.
Hammond moved to a watchful half-century off 137 balls, with 3 fours and a couple of sixes, earlier than Bracey fell to a shocking Kasey Aldridge catch off his personal bowling, the tall seamer diving to his proper to take the ball an inch off the bottom.
At 218 for 4, Gloucestershire led by 313. Skipper Graeme van Buuren wasted no time extending the benefit with a six over lengthy-on off Sajid.
Hammond was caught at slip to offer Sajid a second wicket and Somerset may take some consolation from having restricted their neighbours to a run fee of simply 2.67 an over.