Durham rally after following on against Somerset at Taunton

LV= County Championship - Division One, Taunton
Close, day three: Somerset 480, Durham 220 & 209-1
Somerset 8pts, Durham 4pts
Match scorecard

Will Smith and Michael di Venuto led the fightback after County Championship leaders Durham were made to follow on against Somerset at Taunton.

Alfonso Thomas took 4-62 as Durham suffered a morning collapse to be shot out for 220, of which Smith made 74.

But it was a happier story for Durham second time around as Smith and di Venuto put on 202 for the first wicket.

Di Venuto went just before the close for 91, but Smith (102no) got to his century as Durham reached 209-1.

The visitors still trail Somerset by 51 going into the final day but, with nine second innings wickets intact, they now appear to have averted the threat of defeat.

Thomas's four-wicket haul marked his first County Championship appearance of the season after missing the start of the season through his involvement in the Indian Premier League, followed by a torn hamstring in a FL t20 game.

He produced an inspired eight-over spell of 4-30 from the River End, sending back Dale Benkenstein, Phil Mustard, Ian Blackwell and Mitchell Claydon

But, when Durham followed on 260 behind, after enjoying some good fortune against the new ball, di Venuto and Smith looked increasingly at ease in the warm sunshine.

Steve Kirby, who had bowled with venom before lunch, was under used by skipper Marcus Trescothick.

Tthere was a big cheer from the crowd when he was brought back for only his sixth over of the innings when 58 had been bowled. And the fiery paceman soon struck when di Venuto cut at a wide one and was well caught above his head by James Hildreth at first slip.

But Smith, dropped by Murali Kartik at second slip off Peter Trego on 45, stayed to reach three figures in the final over of the day.