County Championship Division Two, Taunton (day three, stumps): Northamptonshire 326 & 78-0 v Somerset 625-8James Hildreth crashed a career-best unbeaten 227 as Somerset piled up 625-8 on day two before declaring against Northamptonshire at Taunton.
Resuming on 407-6, they extended their lead of 81 by a further 218 runs thanks to Hildreth's 269-ball effort.
He put on 173 with Wes Durston (73) and Andy Caddick thrashed 28 off just 21 balls before the declaration.
Openers Stephen Peters and Chris Rogers added 78 at a brisk rate for Northants and a draw is not out of the question.
Rogers survived a sharp chance to Keith Parsons at slip off Arul Suppiah when on 35, but the pitch still looked to hold few terrors for the batsmen.
Earlier, 22-year-old Hildreth became the youngest Somerset player to hit a double century, beating Mark Lathwell's feat in 1994 by 167 days.
After rain delayed the start until 1340 BST, he reached 200 with a scampered single and then made 27 off only eight balls, including two sixes over mid-wicket off Jason Brown.
Durston also looked set to reach three figures before spooning Steven Crook to Rogers at mid-wicket.
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Cricket interviews 