Marcus Trescothick last night admitted he has been targeting a 2,000-run season for more than a month.

The Somerset CCC stand-in captain's eighth century of the campaign – 102 against Lancashire – took his total to a phenomenal 1,745 with three innings to go.

Trescothick said: "I have been looking at it for the last month. I just want to get that big score – that 180 to kick on. That is what keeps driving me on.

"I haven't captained many Championship games and it was part of my drive to make sure I got a big score. It is always nice to get runs as well as work hard with the captaincy."

Somerset closed on 266-3, 78 runs behind Lancashire after the visitors were bowled out for 344 in the Championship Division One match at Taunton.

Durham will seal the title with at least a draw against second-placed Nottinghamshire by Saturday evening, but Somerset naturally still want the runners up cheque of £225,000. Trescothick said: "We finished second a number of years ago (2001) but the format and quality has changed since then, so if we could sneak in we would be pretty delighted with that.

"We were brilliant this morning with Charl (Willoughby) and Thommo (Alfonso Thomas). Their first spell gave us the impetus. We know how flat it can be here but they swung it and then the batting went well too.

"If you get on top you can push the game forward a bit and we have to make the most of it now. We need a good session in the morning."

Trescothick had put Lancashire in to bat on day one. "If the wicket is going to do anything it will do it on the first day," he said. "There is a bit more live grass but as the game goes on it gets harder and harder.

"I was surprised there was a bit of turn. (Gary) Keedy bowled quite nicely and that is the sort of thing you have to cope with.

"Arul (Suppiah) could have a hand with the ball but we have to put runs on the board first innings to set it up for ourselves."

Somerset CCC debutant Jos Buttler was 13 not out at the close.

"Jos did nicely," said Trescothick. "He was a long time on nought and we were all a bit anxious for him but he got going and hopefully he can crack on. He is a good talent that we need to keep nurturing."