Cricket: 2011 English County Championship, Division One Update

Somerset dragged themselves into title contention while Nottinghamshire's win over Lancashire boosted their survival hopes.

Somerset are fourth with 150 points, 23 points behind first-placed Durham, after beating Worcestershire by an innings and eight runs at New Road.

Batting first, the home side made an imposing 488 thanks to Moeen Ali's 158, Vikram Solanki's 90 and Alexei Kervezee's 68.

Charl Willoughby took 4-115 and Peter Trego claimed 3-71 for Somerset.

An opening partnership of 207 and a second wicket partnership of 151 saw Somerset reply with 591-9 declared. Marcus Trescothick smashed 203, Nick Compton 95 and Arul Suppiah 88.

James Hildreth (67) and Craig Kieswetter (68) were also in the runs while Saeed Ajmal picked up 5-150.

The home side collapsed to just 95 in their second innings, giving Somerset the victory by an innings and eight runs.

Opener Daryl Mitchell top-scored with 26 as Trego claimed 4-22 and Alfonso Thomas 3-13.

The result leaves Worcestershire in eighth on 81 points, having played 10 games.  

Nottinghamshire are fifth on 126 points after defeating Lancashire by 129 runs in Southport.

Batting first, Nottinghamshire slipped to 27-5 and 69-7 before recovering to 203. Samit Patel (37), Darren Pattinson (35 not out), Andre Adams (33) and Graeme White (32) were key to the fightback.

Kyle Hogg was the pick of the bowlers with 5-28.

Lancashire replied with 179 as a number of batsmen got in but then failed to progress. Stephen Moore (37) made the highest score. Adams was chief destroyer with 6-71 and Pattinson claimed 3-46.

Nottinghamshire were in trouble again on 139-7 but their lower order saved them again as they were eventually dismissed for 233.

Graeme White hitting 54 not out and former Lancashire player Steven Mullaney made 42. Glen Chapple was the pick of the bowlers with 6-70.

Chasing 258, Lancashire fell to a dismal 128 all out with Karl Brown's 23 the highest score. Pattinson (5-44) and Adams (4-51) ensured a three-day victory for the away side by 129 runs.

Lancashire remained second on 171 points, two behind Durham but they now have played the same amount of games.

Warwickshire are third on 160 points but have played a game less than the top two.

Sussex are sixth on 114 points after 10 games.

Yorkshire are seventh, one place outside the relegation spots, on 95 points and have played 11 games.

Hampshire are bottom and are yet to win after nine games on just 39 points.

In the next round of fixtures it's second versus third as Lancashire play Warwickshire from August 1. From August 2 Durham face Nottinghamshire, Hampshire are against Yorkshire and Somerset host Sussex.