COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE, Old Trafford
6-9 June (Play starts 1100 BST)
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY THREE: Somerset 301-7, Lancashire 286 (Lancs 4pts, Somerset 6pts)

Trescothick struck 14 fours in his 182-ball 95

Somerset took a slender lead on day three against Lancashire thanks to 95 from Marcus Trescothick.

Trescothick shared an opening stand of 131 with Arul Suppiah (47) as the visitors closed on 301-7, a lead of 15.

Earlier, David Stiff (4-72) had Oliver Newby caught behind to ensure that Lancashire added just five to their overnight score of 281-9.

However, after all of the first day was lost to rain, a draw looks the most likely result at Old Trafford.

After Stiff removed Newby in the second over of the day, Trescothick and Suppiah were together until mid way through the afternoon session.

Newby then removed Suppiah and Justin Langer in quick succession to bring James Hildreth (60) to the crease.

After Trescothick was stumped by Luke Sutton off the bowling of Gary Keedy, Hildreth and Craig Kieswetter (45) shared 71 for the fourth wicket.

Lancashire then fought back by taking four wickets in the final session, with Glen Chapple (2-27) removing Kieswetter and Francois du Plessis (2-14) dislodging Hildreth.

Ben Phillips and Alfonso Thomas then saw the visitors through to the close on a day when Andrew Flintoff continued his comeback from surgery by bowling before the start of play and at lunch.

Lancashire batsman Ashwell Prince told BBC Radio Lancashire:

"We knew if we could break the partnership then we might be able to take a few wickets.

"The pitch is good for batting, but for new a batsman the bounce can get the better of you.

"Trescothick looked solid, he is a quality player and we know what he is capable of. It was good bowling to get him out."

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