Somerset reduced the size of Surrey's lead at the top of the County Championship table after Jack Leach and Archie Vaughan bowled them to victory on the final day (September 1) at home to Durham.
Leach was the star of the show, bowling unchanged throughout the Durham second innings finishing with figures of 30.3-13-50-7. Durham were set 420 but chasing it down always looked unlikely, especially after they were reduced to 15-3 early in the innings.
Spin played a prominent role without the contest. This round of fixtures is the first of the second batch of games played with Kookaburra balls instead of the usual Dukes. The Kookaburra generally swings through the air for less time and loses its hardness more quickly than its counterpart, often rendering seam bowlers less effective than usual in English conditions.
Leach's second innings seven-for backed up his first innings five-for, continuing his fine recent run of form; the England spinner took a five-wicket haul in Somerset's previous fixture against Warwickshire.
Leach lost his place as England's No. 1 spinner ahead of the Test summer after England opted instead for his Somerset teammate Shoaib Bashir. The 33-year-old left-arm spinner has responded to his omission well, taking 26 Division One wickets at 28.80 for his county.
Leach was ably supported by young Archie Vaughan, the 18-year-old spin-bowling all-rounder on first-class debut. Vaughan, whose father is former Ashes-winning England captain Michael, opened the bowling alongside Leach in the second innings and finished with figures of 21-10-40-2. Earlier in the game, Vaughan struck at the end of his first over with the ball in first-class cricket.
Somerset's victory boosts their hopes of winning a first ever County Championship title. Their victory and Surrey's draw at Trent Bridge means that Surrey's lead has now been reduced to 24 points with three rounds of fixtures remaining. Somerset host Surrey at Taunton in the next round of games which will also be played with Kookaburra balls.
Elsewhere, Essex's title chances are virtually over after they lost at home to relegation candidates Worcestershire. It was Worcestershire's third consecutive win and one that takes them 28 points clear of Lancashire who currently sit at ninth place.
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