Inspired bowling from Durham’s seamers secured a surprisingly comfortable win against Somerset.
Durham’s bowlers secured their first win of the new County Championship Division One season against Somerset.
However, going into day four at Chester-le-Street it appeared that the visitors were in control as they chased 235 runs for victory.
Somerset resumed the day on 98-2, with England wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter at the crease with James Hildreth, but Durham’s bowlers rapidly dismissed a succession of partners for the young ‘keeper.
Three Lions seamer Graham Onions took two of his side’s first three wickets and then Chris Rushworth, Callum Thorp and Ben Stokes joined in on the party to dismiss the south west side for just 186.
Kieswetter top-scored with 72 but despite going into the day looking like favourites it actually turned out to be a relatively straightforward 48 run victory for the home side.
Hildreth had looked strong in the middle during the morning session, knocking Durham’s attack to the boundary, but Onions proved to be the catalyst as the bowler nipped one back into the batsman’s wicket.
Another young England ‘keeper, Jos Buttler, joined Kiestwetter but was out lbw the next over off the bowling of Rushworth.
Buttler was followed back to the pavilion shortly after by Alex Burrow and then Peter Trego, who could only manage 12 before also being trapped leg before, this time by Thorp.
Kieswetter looked to attack his opponents hitting Thorp down the ground for six, but tried one big shot too many when he misjudged Stokes’ ball and lost his middle stump.
Stokes and Rushworth quickly finished off the tail to secure Durham’s first win of the season over last year’s runners-up.
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