County Championship review

Somerset picked up the 22 points they required to assure themselves of promotion with a 299-run victory over Glamorgan.

Somerset back in the top flight

Somerset picked up the 22 points they required to assure themselves of promotion to division one with a 299-run victory over Glamorgan. Andy Caddick claimed 4-48 as the visitors were all out for 199 in their second innings after being set 499 to win in five sessions. Neil McKenzie had earlier made 84 as Somerset batted well into the morning session, Robert Croft taking 5-102 as Justin Langer finally declared on 329-9. However, wickets fell at regular intervals after Caddick made the breakthrough with the score on 48, as Somerset booked their place in the top flight. Leicestershire were skittled out for 270 as they slipped to defeat inside three days at Grace Road. Requiring a massive 420 to make Gloucestershire bat again, the Foxes were always struggling after losing three batsmen with just 32 on the board. The visitors declared after Steve Adshead failed by one to make his century, but the Foxes were soon under the cosh. Former Fox Steve Kirby and Carl Greenidge did the early damage while Vikram Banerjee took three wickets to wrap up the victory. Danish Kaneria took 6-45 as Essex crushed Derbyshire by 227 runs inside three days at the County Ground in Derby. Derbyshire's batting line-up again looked paper thin without skipper Simon Katich, as they soon capitulated from 104-3 at the start of the day to being bowled out for 174 with five sessions of the match to spare. Nottinghamshire batted throughout the final day to secure a draw against Middlesex at Lord's, Samit Patel hitting 112. The home skipper Ed Smith tried 10 bowlers in an attempt to dislodge the Midlanders, who made 456-7 in their second dig before play was ended. Mark Wagh (94), Stephen Fleming (81) and Will Jefferson (73) all made useful contributions as Notts stayed second in division two. In division one, Surrey tightened their grip on the game against Hampshire at The Rose Bowl, Chris Schofield claiming 5-52 as the hosts slumped to 221 all out. Jimmy Adams made 110 but had little support, and he is back at the crease in the second innings as Hampshire reached 121-3 at stumps, still 214 adrift.

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