Kasey Aldridge and Tom Banton put somerset on top after Worcestershire’s dramatic collapse at Taunton.

Somerset stamped their authority on the opening day of the County Championship season as Kasey Aldridge ripped through Worcestershire with a brilliant five-wicket haul, before Tom Banton’s unbeaten 84 tightened the hosts’ grip at Taunton.

The Pears had looked steady after choosing to bat, but their promising 102-1 start quickly unravelled into a full-blown collapse. Aldridge’s inspired spell saw them skittled for just 154, with the 23-year-old seamer finishing with figures of 5-36 — only the fourth five-wicket haul of his career.

Somerset weren’t without early wobble themselves, slipping to 39-3, but Banton’s fluent innings, ably supported by Tom Abell’s composed 52, helped the home side reach 187-4 by stumps, a 33-run lead that put them in early control of this Division One clash.

England spinner Jack Leach made the initial breakthrough, removing Jake Libby on 70 with a delivery that gripped and turned, drawing an edge to Lewis Gregory at slip. But it was Aldridge who set the match alight.

Just as Worcestershire opener Gareth Roderick looked set on 58 to anchor a sizeable total, Aldridge struck — clean bowling Kashif Ali with a delivery that nipped in and clipped the top of leg stump. He dismissed Ethan Brookes three balls later, then castled ex-Somerset man Adam Hose before lunch to reduce the visitors to 110-4.

Roderick, having played so assuredly up to that point, departed after the break, fending a lifter to second slip. Brett D’Oliveira followed soon after, shouldering arms to a delivery that sent his off stump cartwheeling — both victims of Aldridge’s precision and pace.

Craig Overton joined the carnage, removing Tom Taylor leg-before, bowling Ben Allison off the back foot, and finding the edge of Tom Hinley to second slip. Adam Finch was then trapped lbw by skipper Gregory, leaving Matthew Waite unbeaten on 32 and Worcestershire all out for 154.

Despite the hosts’ dominance with the ball, they suffered early setbacks of their own. Archie Vaughan edged Tom Taylor behind in the second over, and Tom Lammonby fell to a loose drive. When Sean Dickson was bowled by Finch, Somerset were wobbling on 39-3.

But under clear skies and in front of an enthusiastic crowd of over 2,000, Banton and Abell settled nerves with a resolute fourth-wicket stand. Banton played the aggressor, peppering the boundary with crisp strokes, while Abell rotated the strike calmly, reaching his fifty just before miscuing a pull shot to mid-wicket off Finch.

Their partnership of 101 was the turning point. Banton continued to thrill the home fans with more punishing shots, unfazed by Worcestershire’s attempts to regain momentum. By the close, he stood unbeaten on 84, alongside James Rew on 17*, having guided Somerset to 187-4 — already 33 runs ahead.

The day belonged to Aldridge, whose five-wicket haul dismantled Worcestershire’s plans, and to Banton, who ensured Somerset capitalised. With the pitch still playing true and the sun forecast to return, Somerset now hold a commanding position heading into day two.