CRICKET: Caddick call does the trick

Warwickshire 255 & 325

Somerset 242 & 18-1

So far this has been a tale of the Andrews, Caddick and Moles. The Somerset swing bowler has taken 10 wickets while Warwickshire's acting captain has contributed 17 and 75, the circumstances being so different that one innings was possibly worth as much as the other.

While Caddick, with his mix of swing, seam and bounce, was turning the Warwickshire first innings on Thursday into a magical mystery tour, Moles batted through 19 overs. Yesterday morning, after the start was delayed for 30 minutes because of a wet patch on a length, Moles prospered in perfect weather while Somerset faltered.

Caddick was ignored for eight overs while Graham Rose tried to hit the damp spot. Warwickshire's second wicket pair added a relatively untroubled 95 in 29 overs and the champions lunched with a lead of 166. But by the afternoon Andy Hayhurst had resolved his tactics.

Rose was given the breeze and responded with an excellent spell that included a quicker ball, pitched up further than expected and nipping back, which trapped Moles.

Ten overs later, after Trevor Penney had arrived to blast Jeremy Batty out of the attack with two huge sixes, one over the old pavilion and one over long on, Rose tempted Dominic Ostler with one that seamed away.

Somerset's last piece fell into place when Caddick reappeared at his less favoured end, from the old pavilion, but into the wind. And Dougie Brown, presumably under orders to increase the pace, tried to emulate Penney but only skied to mid-on.

Caddick's next three victims, in the spell of four wickets for three runs in 26 balls, were all defeated by gentle outswing, Rob Turner pouching three more wickets. The champions were reduced from 206 for two to 253 for seven in 17 overs and the match was back in balance.

One of Warwickshire's strengths is the batting ability of the bowlers, demonstrated after tea when Somerset again lost their way as both Rose and Caddick were rested. Graeme Welch and Neil Smith, by the simple expedient of picking off the bad ball, added another 69 as Hayhurst waited for the new ball before Welch swung at Shane Lee and Smith was bowled, heaving.

Turner finished with five victims, Somerset were left chasing 339 but lost their principal striker Mark Lathwell in the remaining 13 overs. Shaun Pollock was both fast and furious in a dangerous late spell and Somerset would have been pleased to have survived without further damage. Caddick will be hoping to hit the winning run tomorrow evening.