Aldred shatters Somerset batting

Paul Aldred shattered Somerset's batting with three wickets in an over after wicketkeeper Luke Sutton had suffered a facial injury in the first hour at the County Ground.

Sutton was struck by a short ball standing up to Aldred and was led away with blood streaming from his mouth in the 16th over of the day.

Matthew Dowman took over the gloves and had a hand in one of Aldred's victims as Somerset lurched into trouble after a half century stand from Adrian Pierson and Michael Burns.

The pair had come together in the fourth over when Kevin Dean justified Dominic Cork's decision to put Somerset in by bringing one back to bowl Mark Lathwell for four.

Pierson had opened in place of Jamie Cox who was out with a knee injury and played watchfully with Burns to take Somerset past 50 before Aldred broke through.

Burns edged to second slip before Pierson ventured a rare attacking stroke and was caught at deep point for 14.

Keith Parsons could only fend a short ball from Aldred behind square and Dowman made a lot of ground to his left to take a diving catch.

But the former Derbyshire batsman Peter Bowler and wicketkeeper Rob Turner prevented any further setbacks as Somerset reached 85 for four at lunch.