White sparkles for Somerset

Cameron White © Getty Images

Cameron White scored 138 as Somerset fought back to claim maximum batting points on the third day of their LV County Championship Division Two game against Derbyshire at Taunton.

The Australian hit a six and 18 fours in his 239-ball innings, sharing a stand of 158 with nightwatchman Craig Kieswetter (63), which helped the home side reach the close on 497 for nine. Peter Trego hit 67 and Wes Durston 50.

Somerset, who began on a perilous 107 for four, will surely follow on on Saturday in the face of Derbyshire’s massive first innings score of 801.

But the visitors face a massive task to take 11 more wickets on a pitch which is unlikely to deteriorate.

Kevin Dean claimed three wickets © Getty Images

Kevin Dean was the pick of their attack with figures of 3-64 from 29 overs, while Graham Wagg's four wickets cost him 144 runs.

White and Keiswetter set the tone for the third day by batting through the morning session with few alarms. Lunch was taken at 241 for four and it was 2.30pm before the first breakthrough was made.

Wicket-keeper Keiswetter, 19, a South African whose mother is Scottish, has made a hugely impressive start to his Somerset career and wants to forge a future in England.

He was irritated by losing his wicket, guiding a wide ball from Graham Wagg to Chris Taylor at point, but by then had faced 149 balls and hit a six and 10 fours.

Wes Durston made a nervous start but was soon into his stride and went to 50 off 97 balls, with 10 fours. A thin edge off Dean cost him his wicket without addition, but another 105 had been added and the second new ball seen off.

White was solid as a rock in leading Somerset to a position of respectability and five batting points.

He stood transfixed as though he could hardly believe he was out when driving Ant Botha to mid-off, where Simon Katich took a tumbling catch.

Andy Caddick soon followed to Ian Harvey and it was 409 for eight.

Peter Trego then reached a half-century off 67 balls with his third six, but ruined all his good work with two reckless shots in the closing overs. He was dropped off the first and caught off the second.

Even number 10 Mark Turner joined in the run feast with an unbeaten 45 off just 37 balls. While still a long way from avoiding the follow-on, Somerset can take heart from the knowledge that their opponents need to take 11 wickets on the final day.

Only 13 fell in four days during the drawn opening championship fixture at Taunton against Middlesex.