Photos: Indian bowlers struggle after Suppiah ton

Led by a cracking century by Arul Suppiah (145 not out) Somerset dominated the first day's play and were 329 for 2 on Day 1 of the warm-up game against the Indians in Taunton on Friday.

Suppiah along with Nick Compton (88) put up a 223-run stand for the second wicket, after a fantastic century stand between Suppiah and England captain Andrew Strauss.

Strauss stroked a brilliant 78 off just 98 balls as the Indian pacers struggled on a docile pitch in the first session.

Strauss exorcised his demons against left-arm swing bowler Zaheer Khan, who bowled eight overs without success on the first morning.

The left-hander was rarely tested, smashing 16 fours during his 112 minutes' stay at the crease.

Strauss however did have his stroke of luck when he was lucky to survive a close leg-before-wicket off Zaheer, then stand-in wicketkeeper dropped him off Amit Mishra.

The southpaw was particularly severe on S Sreesanth as he hit him for three fours. He soon reached his half-century with 11 fours from 63 balls.

Munaf Patel's propensity to bowl at least one bouncer per over wasn't such a good idea on this dead track and Strauss made full use of such deliveries.

After flicking and cover driving Mishra for boundaries, Strauss finally fell in the final over before lunch, edging a catch to Saha who made no mistake this time around.

The other opener, Arul Suppiah almost went unnoticed before he drove Sreesanth down the ground for his first four after 16 overs of batting.

None of the Indian bowlers could contain either Suppiah or Compton who were in sublime touch.

Suppiah, who made a sedate start and played second fiddle to Strauss in the first session, took control of the situation once Strauss was back in the hut.

He made the Indian fielders chase leather after playing some delightful shots. His composed innings also made his batting partner Compton play himself in.

But, the Indians also had their chances but couldn't make most of it.

At one point, the visitors had an opportunity for a wicket when Compton, then on 24, was dropped by Sachin Tendulkar at midwicket off a mistimed pull off Sreesanth.

Compton's dropped chance apart, the Somerset batsmen imposed themselves in impressive style, on a pitch that aided strokeplay.