Josh Thomas century lifts Somerset on rain-hit Championship return

What happened: Josh Thomas made 110 as Somerset reached 348-5 against Essex on the opening day of the latest County Championship round at Taunton. The Guardian reported that Thomas supplied the only century across the day’s fixtures, while rain and bad light interrupted play at several other grounds. Essex had chosen to field first, but Somerset built the largest total of the day.

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Thomas reached three figures from 152 balls with his 15th four, then was bowled by Shane Snater for 110. It was his second first-class century. New Zealand batter Henry Nicholls made 96 on his Somerset debut, helping the title-chasing hosts establish a strong position by the close.

Why it matters: Somerset’s productive day stood out on a weather-affected Championship restart. The partnership contributions from Thomas and Nicholls carried the innings beyond 300, giving Essex a demanding first-innings total to confront when play resumes. The Guardian’s close-of-play scoreboard recorded Somerset at 348-5.

At the Oval, Surrey’s bowlers reduced Nottinghamshire to 104-8 before Liam Patterson-White led a recovery with an unbeaten 76. Nottinghamshire were eventually dismissed for 184, with Tom Lawes taking five wickets. Surrey then closed on 13-1, leaving the match open despite the damage inflicted by Lawes.

Kent also progressed quickly against Middlesex at Merchant Taylors’ School. Zak Crawley scored 81, his highest total of the season, before Ryan Higgins had him caught at second slip. Sam Northeast added 87, while Toby Roland-Jones took three wickets as Kent ended the day on 299-6.

Fourteen wickets fell at Southampton, where Kyle Abbott took 4-17 as Yorkshire were bowled out for 173. Dom Bess was unbeaten on 40, before George Hill took 3-4 to leave Hampshire 60-4. Elsewhere, Durham reached 102-2 against Derbyshire after interruptions, Sussex closed on 99-3 at Edgbaston, and only 18 overs were possible at Old Trafford, where Northamptonshire finished 56-2 against Lancashire.