Martyn's golden run continues as Somerset suffer

Damien Martyn continued his golden run of form as Australia left Somerset with an unlikely 417 for victory in the Vodafone Challenge match at Taunton.

Martyn, dropped on nought by Jason Kerr at gully, progressed without further trouble to an unbeaten 176 in a total of 335-4 declared.

It was his fifth century of the tour, one of which came in the limited-overs friendly with Northants, ­and his 231-ball innings included 25 fours.

Guest player Shoaib Akhtar was comfortably the most potent of the home side's attack, but he only bowled seven overs before departing the field with cramp in both legs.

Akhtar's new ball burst of 6-2-9-2 had removed Simon Katich, caught behind by Rob Turner for three, and Justin Langer, lbw for ten.

But Martyn and Wade Seccombe instigated a recovery from 15-2 with a third-wicket stand of 156 and then Ashley Noffke and Mark Waugh shared partnerships of 42 and 142 with Martyn.

Left-arm spinner Ian Blackwell claimed the other two wickets to fall when he had Seccombe caught by Piran Holloway at mid-wicket for 76 and took a return catch to dismiss Noffke for 22.

Somerset were soon in trouble when they batted again as Piran Holloway departed for seven to a fine catch by acting captain Ricky Ponting at third slip, from paceman Noffke.

But Aamir Sohail and Mike Burns then put on 45 as Somerset closed the day on 52-1, requiring a further 365 to win.

Off the field, Australia have injury worries about openers Michael Slater and Matthew Hayden and pace ace Brett Lee ahead of Thursday's Second Ashes Test at Lord's.

Neither Slater, who has a bruised left wrist after being struck by an Akhtar delivery, nor Hayden, whose right knee locked while fielding on Saturday, played any part in today's proceedings.

Australia expect both to be ready for the Test, but there is a bit more concern about Lee's injured ribs which forced his late withdrawal from this match.