By IANS
London : Somerset picked up the 22 points they required to assure themselves of promotion to division one of the county championships with a 299-run victory over Glamorgan at Taunton.
Former England paceman Andy Caddick claimed four wickets for 48 runs as the visitors were all out for 199 in their second innings Saturday after being set 499 to win in five sessions.
Neil McKenzie had earlier made 84 as Somerset batted well into the morning session, Robert Croft taking five for 102 for Glamorgan before Justin Langer finally declared on 329 for nine.
However, wickets fell at regular intervals after Caddick made the breakthrough with the score on 48, as Somerset booked their place in the top flight.
Leicestershire were skittled out for 270 as they slipped to defeat inside three days at Grace Road.
Requiring a massive 420 to make Gloucestershire bat again, Leicester were always struggling after losing three batsmen with just 32 runs on the board.
The visitors declared after Steve Adshead fell one run short of his century, but the home side were soon in trouble. Former Leicester player Steve Kirby and Carl Greenidge did the early damage while Vikram Banerjee took three wickets.
Pakistani leg-spinner Danish Kaneria took 6/45 as Essex crushed Derbyshire by 227 runs inside three days at the County ground in Derby.
Derbyshire’s batting line-up again looked paper thin without skipper Simon Katich, as they soon capitulated from 104 for three at the start of the day Saturday to being bowled out for 174 with five sessions of the match to spare.
Nottinghamshire batted throughout the final day to secure a draw against Middlesex at Lord’s, Samit Patel hitting 112.
The home skipper Ed Smith tried 10 bowlers in an attempt to dislodge the Nottigham, who made 456 for seven in their second outing before play was ended.
Notts stay second in division two.
In division one, Surrey tightened their grip on the game against Hampshire at The Rose Bowl, Chris Schofield claiming 5/52 as the hosts slumped to 221 all out. Jimmy Adams made 110 but had little support, and he is back at the crease in the second innings as Hampshire reached 121 for three at stumps, still 214 behind.