South Africa’s Monde Zondeki claimed a career-best five for 64 on the second day’s play of his country’s tour match against Somerset.
The 20-year-old Zondeki had the Somerset batsmen in trouble as they replied to South Africa’s 326 for four declared with 245 for seven before declaring themselves 81 runs adrift with Matt Wood top-scoring with 55.
At stumps South Africa’s advantage had extended to 207 by posting 126 for two. Veteran opener Gary Kirsten followed up his first-innings 66 with a 42, while Boeta Dippenaar was 52 not out.
However there was another failure by Kirsten’s opening partner Herschelle Gibbs, who was out for 17.
With one day to go a draw looks the likely outcome.
Somerset resumed on 38 for no wicket after rain had delayed the start and the opening pair of Wood and South African James Bryant took the total to 100 in the final over before lunch before being parted.
Wood’s first 50 of the season, off 76 balls, with 10 fours, came to an end when trapped lbw by a full length delivery from left-arm seamer Charl Willoughby.
Bryant had been dropped on 18 by Kirsten above his head at slip off Willoughby and went on to make 39 before having his off-stump knocked back by a Zondeki yorker in the first over after lunch.
Keith Parsons was dropped by Herschelle Gibbs before being picked up by the same player at third slip for one to give Zondeki his second wicket.
On only his 14th first-class appearance Zondeki then added Ian Blackwell to his victims after a mistimed hook.
From 100 for none, Somerset had subsided to 144 for four.
Mike Burns (35) and Carl Gazzard (27) played positively, while Aaron Laraman’s carefully-compiled 41 not out pushed Somerset towards 250.
When they closed five runs short of that figure there was a chance for Gibbs to play himself back into form. But the South African opener could manage only 17 before edging a lifting delivery from Steffan Jones to wicketkeeper Gazzard. Kirsten and Dippenaar took the score comfortably to 99 before Kirsten got a leading edge to off-spinner Wes Durston and lobbed a catch to cover.
Dippenaar went on to a half-century off 66 balls with nine fours. – Sapa-AFP