Durham canter to Riverside victory

Arul Suppiah scored only his second first-class century in helping set up a successful mammoth run-chase for Somerset

Durham stretched their lead at the summit of the LV= County Championship by completing a crushing five-wicket victory over Worcestershire at Chester-le-Street, as main rivals Nottinghamshire were frustrated by rain.

The reigning champions resumed the final day needing 115 more runs to win, on 64 for one, and secured their triumph before lunch with Michael Di Venuto's unbeaten 100 steering them to their fourth victory of the summer.

The Australian opener hit 14 fours and a six in his 123-ball innings to ensure Durham stretched their lead at the top of the table.

Nottinghamshire drew with Lancashire at Trent Bridge after the final day was badly affected by the rain.

Set 393 to win by last night’s declaration, the weather made sure the visitors only had time to reach 97 for three by the conclusion.

A career-best from Arul Suppiah (131) and Peter Trego’s incredible 54-ball hundred helped Somerset pull off a thrilling run chase in their victory over Yorkshire at Taunton.

Set a daunting target of 476 by the visitors this morning, Somerset got off to a brilliant start as Suppiah and Marcus Trescothick (96) amassed 187 for the first wicket.

David Stiff added a useful 49 before Trego, 104, blasted the hosts to a four-wicket win.

In Division Two, Kent strengthened their promotion credentials with a 76-run victory over leaders Gloucestershire to move into second place in the table.

Former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood claimed 5-39 as Gloucestershire, who resumed on 131 for five, only 31 runs ahead, were dismissed for a lowly 255 shortly before lunch.

At Lord’s, relegated Surrey drew with local rivals Middlesex, whose declaration on 246 for five this afternoon set a victory target of 240.

Productive spells from Steven Finn (2-29) and Murali Kartik (2-26) put the visitors under pressure this evening before Mark Ramprakash (49no) and Chris Jordan (30no) steered them to 99 for five at stumps.

The other match in the Second Division between Derbyshire and Leicestershire ended as a draw after rain completely washed out the final day.