Wednesday 27 September 2017 11:42, UK
Somerset hit back to reduce Middlesex to 18-3 at stumps after they were bowled out for 236 on day one of their must-win Specsavers County Championship Division One clash at Taunton.
Needing a win to avoid relegation, Somerset began well with openers Eddie Byrom (56) and Marcus Trescothick (37) putting on 93 for the first wicket.
However, Ravi Patel (7-81) made the most of spin-friendly conditions to help Middlesex, themselves needing to avoid defeat to be sure of staying up, fight back.
James Hildreth (41) and Steven Davies (27) took Somerset to their first batting point but Patel then trapped the former lbw to trigger a collapse that saw the hosts slump from 206-4 to 236 all out.
The flurry of wickets continued as Middlesex began their innings though, Ashes hopeful Craig Overton removing Nick Compton (0) before left-arm spinner Jack Leach, opening the bowling, got rid of Stevie Eskinazi (1) and Sam Robson (4) to leave the visitors 5-3 in the eighth over.
With Somerset claiming just one batting point, Yorkshire can begin to plan for life in Division One again next season as they claimed the full three bowling bonus points, bowling Essex out for 227 at Chelmsford to guarantee their safety.
Champions Essex were 80-5 at one stage, Tom Westley among the wickets to fall. It was a double blow for the England man as he was struck on the glove by Steven Patterson (3-66), the ball looping to slip while he headed straight to the physio room to have his thumb examined - although an x-ray confirmed there was no break.
Simon Harmer (64) led the Essex lower-order resistance and took the home side past 200 before he fell to left-arm spinner Karl Carver (2-10). Yorkshire must wait until day two to begin their first innings as bad light stopped play at the conclusion of Essex innings.
Meanwhile, Hampshire were frustrated in their attempts to claim the points they need to assure their top-flight status, as the first day of their clash at already-relegated Warwickshire was washed out.
In his final match before retirement, Kumar Sangakkara was dismissed for just 14 as Lancashire and Surrey battle it out for second place at Old Trafford.
The Sri Lanka legend was given a guard of honour by the Lancashire players as he walked to the crease but any sort of fairy-tale finish must wait until Surrey's second innings as he was in the deep off Saqib Mahmood.
Mahmood was the pick of the Lancashire bowlers, taking 4-50, while all-rounder Sam Curran top-scored with 51 not out for Surrey, who declared on 201-8. In reply, Lancashire were 17-0 at the close.
