Essex win County Championship after rain-affected Somerset draw

The Chelmsford club claim an eighth title after benefitting from inclement conditions in the final game at Taunton

Taunton: Somerset 203, 0-0 v Essex 141, 45-1 - match drawn

Scorecard

Essex survived a desperate Somerset charge to win their eighth County Championship title after securing a battling draw at Taunton.

After bowling out Anthony McGrath's side for 141 on the fourth evening - they lost nine for 39 - the hosts forfeited their second innings to set Essex 63 to win.

It gave Somerset 70 minutes to take 10 wickets to clinch victory and in turn their first ever Division One title.

But batting on a pitch where the ball was spinning sharply, openers Sir Alastair Cook (30 not out) and Nick Browne held firm, frustrating spinners Jack Leach, Dominic Bess, Roelof van der Merwe.

And with the clock running down and Essex comfortable on 45 for 1, both teams shook hands to confirm the visitors as champions and as the first club to complete the Division One-T20 Blast double.

Meanwhile, Somerset, who gave a late cameo to the retiring Marcus Trescothick as the match drifted towards a stalemate, finished as runners-up in the top flight for a sixth time as their wait for a maiden title goes on.