SOMERSET director of cricket Brian Rose was heavily critical of the side’s middle order batting as they suffered a two-wicket against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge.

The Cidermen suffered middle-order collapses in both innings and were grateful for late-order contributions to set Notts something approaching a challenging victory target of 250.

And, despite a few wobbles, South African Test star Hashim Amla guided the hosts over the line near the end of day three on Friday.

It means Somerset are bottom of the Division One table with just nine points from their opening two matches.

Rose said: “We’re going to have a very long season if our middle order don’t get any runs. It’s crucial the players in that position bat for long periods of time and it hasn’t happened yet. If they don’t start producing we are always going to be behind the eight ball.

“Collectively the middle order have to knuckle down and sort out the problem.

“We have a lot of faith in our late order batsmen but at the moment we are putting too much pressure on them. They should be adding to an already belt of runs not being relied upon to get us a decent total.

“But we are only talking after the second game so it’s too early to get despondent.”

After being asked to bat on the first morning, Somerset slipped to 78-5 before knocks from Nick Compton (42), Trego (66), Wright (43) and Thomas (40) helped them to post 272 all out.

In Notts’ reply, Charl Willoughby starred with the ball, snapping up 4-40 as the hosts were dismissed for 250.

In their second innings, Somerset crashed to 43-6, losing their six wickets for 18 runs with England Test bowler Broad picking up five on his way to 5-89.

The side were indebted to a stand of 136 between skipper Marcus Trescothick (98), and Wright (78 from 71 balls) as they were eventually all out for 227 to set Notts 250.

Ex-Somerset batsman Neil Edwards was dismissed early on but a partnership of 125 between Bilal Shafayat (49) and Mark Wagh (70) put Notts well in control.

However, both fell with the score on 127 and Somerset kept chipping away to leave the hosts wobbling at 198-6.

All the while Amla remained cool, hitting Willoughby for 18 in one over, and despite losing further partners in Paul Franks and Stuart Broad, Amla saw the side home with an unbeaten 64 from 73 balls.

For Somerset, Willoughby, once again, led the way with 3-83.