Somerset's title hopes were dashed early on the final day as they were bowled out for 224, keeping Lancashire’s chances of avoiding relegation alive. With Somerset's defeat, Surrey were crowned Vitality County Championship winners for the third consecutive year.
Surrey had put themselves in prime position with a dominant 10-wicket win over Durham on Thursday, leaving Somerset needing a victory over relegation-threatened Lancashire to extend the title race to the final week. Starting day four at 204-6, Somerset trailed by 189 runs, and their hopes took an immediate hit when captain Lewis Gregory was bowled by Luke Wells (4-36) with the first ball of the morning. Jamie Overton (4) and Brett Randell (9) soon followed, with Anderson Phillip (3-81) and Wells doing the damage. Phillip then dismissed James Rew (31) to end Somerset's innings at 224.
Lancashire wrapped up the match within 30 minutes on the final day, confirming Surrey as champions—making them the first county to win three consecutive titles since Yorkshire's triumph from 1966 to 1968. While Lancashire remain ninth in Division One, they still have a slim chance to overtake Nottinghamshire and avoid relegation, while Somerset dropped to third after Hampshire’s commanding 235-run win over Worcestershire. Worcestershire resumed on 117-5, still (More Read)