Josh Thomas Century Puts Somerset in Control Against Essex

Josh Thomas struck his second first-class century as Somerset reached 348-5 on the opening day of their County Championship Division One match against Essex at Taunton. BBC Sport, in a report supplied by the ECB Reporters' Network, said the 21-year-old opener made 110 after visiting captain Tom Westley chose to field first.

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Thomas faced 162 balls and hit 15 fours and one six. His innings followed the 136 he scored against Yorkshire in May for his maiden first-class hundred. He reached three figures for the second time in the season before Shane Snater bowled him with Somerset on 213-3.

New Zealand batter Henry Nicholls also made an immediate contribution on his Somerset debut. He and Thomas added 119 for the third wicket, rebuilding the innings and establishing the home side's position. Nicholls was given a chance on 43 when wicketkeeper Michael Pepper dropped an edge off Simon Harmer, and he went on to make 96.

Nicholls then shared a 99-run fourth-wicket partnership with Tom Abell. His attempt to reach a debut century ended when Sam Cook took the new ball and induced him to chop the ball onto his stumps, leaving Somerset 313-4. Abell continued to 65 before Snater bowled him shortly before the close.

James Rew was unbeaten on 21 when play ended. Cook finished the day with figures of 2-77 and Snater took 2-68, but Essex were unable to prevent Somerset from collecting two batting bonus points. The visitors earned one bowling bonus point and had yet to begin their first innings.

The total placed title-chasing Somerset in a strong position after Essex's decision to insert them. Thomas supplied the only century recorded across the County Championship fixtures on a day when rain affected several matches, while Nicholls fell four runs short of adding another hundred in his first appearance for the county. Essex will begin the second day needing early wickets to limit a Somerset innings already approaching 350.