Hildreth shows his class

James Hildreth scores his second century of the season © Getty Images

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James Hildreth gave the England selectors a reminder of his rich potential with a stylish century against Sussex on the opening day of the LV County Championship Division One match at Taunton.

The 23-year-old Somerset batsman hit an unbeaten 127 out of his side’s 399 for three after Sussex skipper Chris Adams had opted to field.

Neil Edwards was run out by Adams from first slip for 99 after he had advanced down the wicket to Ollie Rayner.

Marcus Trescothick contributed 74 and Justin Langer 44 as bat dominated ball from the outset.

It was a long hot day for the Sussex bowlers, of which Corey Collymore was the pick with 1-79 from 23 overs.

Adams’ decision to let Somerset bat may well have been based on the previous four-day match at Taunton - when the home side slumped to 23 for six having been invited to bat by Hampshire.

But there was none of the early dampness in the wicket which aided the seamers in that game.

Trescothick produced some sumptuous off-drives in a century opening stand with Edwards, who looked less assured at times, but reached his 50 first - off 78 balls, with eight fours.

It was 102 without loss at lunch and Trescothick brought up his half-century straight after the interval, having faced 110 deliveries and also collected eight boundaries.

The two left-handers looked in complete control as they took the score to 151 before Trescothick aimed a flashing drive at Collymore and was caught off a thin edge by wicketkeeper Matt Prior, who later needed treatment for a finger injury.

Hildreth was promoted to three in the order above Langer and was soon justifying the move with some sweetly-timed drives and back-foot strokes.

Already with a one-day century under his belt this season, Hildreth had one moment of good fortune when dropped on 18 by Michael Yardy at slip off Luke Wright, but otherwise looked confident and assured.

Edwards departed in unusual circumstances one short of his ton. Giving Rayner the charge, he appeared to get a thin edge along the ground to first slip, where Adams collected and ran him out with a direct hit.

The opener had faced 134 balls and extended his boundary count to 15, but the jinx contiuned as he was out three times in the nineties in championship cricket last season.

Langer progressed fluently until caught behind off Rayner with the score on 313. But Hildreth went on to complete his hundred with a pull for two off Jason Lewry soon after the new ball was taken.