County Championship Division One: Jack Leach bowls Somerset to victory
Thursday 8 September 2016 19:50, UK
Left-arm spinner Jack Leach did his England prospects no harm with 6-42 as Somerset eased to a 31-run win over Warwickshire on day three of the Specsavers County Championship clash at Taunton.
Leach boosted his claims to be selected as England's third spinner for the upcoming tour of Bangladesh by removing last man Josh Poysden courtesy of a smart catch by Marcus Trescothick at leg gully as the visitors - 131-8 overnight - were bowled out for 152.
Trescothick, who has just signed a one-year contract extension with the county, broke Jack White's record with his 394th first-class catch while Leach's best return of the campaign so far swelled his season's wicket return to 52.
Warwickshire ended tantalisingly close to their victory target thanks to an unbeaten 55 from Rikki Clarke, who reached his fifty off 138 balls. But having been bowled out for 95 on the first day, this was Somerset's win to cherish. Click here for scorecard.
Middlesex would have been fancied to roll over bottom side Nottinghamshire but finished day three in trouble on 48-3 and needing another 187 runs for victory.
Jake Ball, who took five wickets in the first innings, was Middlesex's tormentor again with all three scalps after the hosts had been bowled out for 240. Click here for scorecard
A late Durham collapse, meanwhile, saw Yorkshire close in on victory at Headingley to stay firmly in contention for a third straight title.
It was a day of complete supremacy for the champions, who ran through Durham's first innings with the second new ball to gain a lead of 195 and then racked up 225-2 before declaring.
Adam Lyth hit an unbeaten 114 to top 1,000 Championship runs for the season while first innings centurion Alex Lees made 88.
In 16 overs before stumps, Durham stumbled to 39-3 chasing an improbable 421 for victory. Click here for scorecard
Hampshire improved their chances of avoiding relegation from Division One after a dominant third-day performance put them in a position to press for victory against Surrey.
Sean Ervine made an unbeaten 158 and Ryan McLaren exactly 100 to add to Tom Alsop's 117 as they piled up 582-9 to establish a first-innings lead of 253.
Surrey's openers Dom Sibley and Rory Burns survived nine overs before stumps to take their side to 23-0. Click here for scorecard
