OPENER Tom Abell hit a career-best 135 before Lancashire fought back on day one of their Specsavers’ County Championship Division One clash at Old Trafford.

The hosts had been on the end of an Abell master-class, a knock which included 19 fours, while sharing a 134-run opening wicket stand with Marcus Trescothick (60) who, in the process, passed 1,000 Championship runs for the season.

Somerset closed day one on 339-7, having been 267-2, while Lancashire bowler Tom Bailey led their fightback in the evening session, taking four wickets in seven deliveries with the second new ball.

Pete Trego (49no) will resume this morning as Somerset attempt to keep the pressure on Middlesex and Yorkshire at the top of table.

“Personally I was hugely delighted,” said Abell.

“I think we had a pretty good day as a side. We had a little blip towards the end of the day, but then with the way Peter Trego played, we’re feeling really positive about where we are in the game.

“No one’s been frustrated than myself with how this year’s gone; it’s been pretty disappointing, but we’re up at the right end of the table and the aim is to keep the pressure on the teams at the top of the table.

“We had to ride our luck and it was pretty tough at the start but Tres takes a lot of the pressure off. He played superbly well, as did Buck [Chris Rogers, captain, who hit 47].

“They bowled really well with the second new ball and came back at us, but the way Treegs played at the end has put us back on the front foot. We’ve got to be pretty happy with 339 for seven."