Somerset thrash champions Warwickshire to claim first win of season

Somerset are up and running in the LV= Insurance County Championship after defeating champions Warwickshire by an innings and 82 runs inside three days at Taunton.

Tom Abell’s side, who began the season with three straight defeats, quickly took Warwickshire’s last first-innings wicket in the morning session to secure a lead of 249 and then bowled the visitors out for 167 second time around.

Jack Brooks led the way with four for 44 but it was a hugely impressive collective effort, with all five bowlers used getting among the wickets and maintaining pressure on the batters.

Harry Brook fell narrowly short of a maiden career double century before lunch on day three as Yorkshire edged towards victory over Kent at Headingley.

Brook, Division One’s second-leading run-scorer behind Kent opener Ben Compton, continued his superb form by advancing from 131 overnight to 194 and taking his tally of runs to 512 in five innings this summer as Yorkshire piled up 571 in reply to Kent’s 291.

Kent impressively resisted to close on 118 for two from 50 overs – Compton unbeaten on 67 – giving them hope they can avoid a third defeat in four games.

Nick Gubbins scored two centuries in a County Championship match for the first time in his career as Hampshire set Lancashire 351 to win at the Ageas Bowl.

Gubbins followed his crucial 101 not out in the first innings with an effortless 130 to give Hampshire a hefty lead on a pitch which had previously benefited the bowlers.

Hampshire were eventually bowled out for 344, with the visitors reaching nine without loss by the close.

Essex pair Paul Walter and Matt Critchley staged a belligerent rearguard action to frustrate Northamptonshire’s hopes of claiming victory at Chelmsford.

The fourth-wicket