Somerset back in top flight

Andrew Caddick has taken 68 first-class wickets so far this season © Getty Images

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Somerset clinched promotion back to the top flight of the LV County Championship by beating Glamorgan at the County Ground in Taunton by 299 runs with more than a day to spare.

Resuming on their overnight score of 163 for three, Somerset’s fourth-wicket pair James Hildreth and Neil McKenzie took the total onto 191, when off the fourth ball of the eighth over of the day, Hildreth was run out at the non-striker’s end following a direct hit on the stumps by Richard Grant.

The fourth-wicket partnership added 108 runs, Hildreth contributing 69, which he scored off 108 balls and included eight fours.

McKenzie continued to add to his tally, but after an hour’s play the South Africa batsman looked to sweep Robert Croft and was caught on the square leg boundary for 84.

Ian Blackwell got into his stride with a six over mid-wicket off Huw Waters and swiftly advanced to 42, when he was caught by Jimmy Maher at slip off Croft.

With a declaration expected Peter Trego added 42 for the seventh wicket with Craig Kieswetter at more than a run a ball, but, with his own score on 41, he tried to sweep Croft and top edged to Maher at short mid-wicket.

Not long afterwards Kieswetter also perished, caught at long on by Waters off Croft, followed next over by Andy Caddick, bowled by Grant, at which point lunch was taken and the innings was declared on 329 for nine.

For Glamorgan, Croft ended with 5-102 to take his career total of first-class wickets onto 997.

Robert Croft took five wickets for Glamorgan © Getty Images

Requiring 499 to win from five sessions of play, Glamorgan set off quickly in pursuit of their target. However, with the total on 48, Caddick made the breakthrough, when Maher, on 39, edged the fifth ball of his sixth over to wicket-keeper Kieswetter.

Glamorgan progressed onto 69 when they lost two wickets in four balls. Gareth Rees caught Kieswetter off Caddick and Will Bragg was also caught by the wicket-keeper, as he edged a ball from Charl Willoughby.

Blackwell replaced Caddick at the River End and it was the all-rounder who struck the next blow for Somerset when he had Grant caught by Marcus Trescothick at first slip after the right-hander attempted an off drive.

Mark Wallace brought up the 100 with a run four off Blackwell, but after striking two more boundaries he was out leg before to Steffan Jones.

Ben Wright, along with Croft, offered some resistance, but after adding 41 between them, Wright pushed forward to Blackwell and got an outside edge which Kieswetter caught.

Caddick had Croft caught at second slip by Hildreth in the 53rd over to reduce Glamorgan to 181 for seven. Three overs later the paceman struck again to remove Andrew Davies, this time caught by Langer at first slip.

With Alex Wharf unable to bat, Blackwell claimed the final wicket when Harris edged to Kieswetter and Glamorgan were all out for 199.

Caddick was the pick of the Somerset bowlers, ending with 4-48, to take his championship total to 68 for the season, while Blackwell took 3-60.