Onions gives Somerset CCC bowlers a lesson

Graham Onions gave Somerset's bowlers a lesson in line and length as he celebrated his England Test call-up in style at Taunton.

The 26-year-old Durham paceman took 5-30 in a 12-over spell from the River End on the second afternoon of the LV County Championship match, reducing the home side to 54-7 in reply to 543.

Onions finished with 6-31 as Somerset CCC were bowled out for a paltry 69. Following on, they reached 83-1 by the close and were still 391 behind.

Quick enough to beat Marcus Trescothick for pace and bowl him for 12, Onions, who looks certain to play in the First Test at Lord's next week, kept putting the ball in the right spot and nipping it around to rip through the top order.

Quite a contrast to Somerset's attack, who had sprayed it around on a helpful pitch, allowing the visitors to build a score way in excess of par.

Trescothick was certainly impressed by Onions. "He seems to have gained a yard of pace this season," said the opener. "I found it difficult to pick the ball up."

All very encouraging for England, but no consolation to Somerset supporters hoping their team will mount another challenge for the Championship pennant. That looks highly fanciful unless Andrew Caddick recovers quickly from back trouble. Without Ben Phillips and Mark Turner, the attack looked toothless and wayward.

Six dropped catches on the first day didn't help. Having been given lives on six and 19, Dale Benkenstein went on to his highest Championship score, making 181 off 287 balls, with 24 fours.

Durham were able to add 171 to their overnight score of 372-6, despite a fine piece of fielding by Peter Trego to run out Phil Mustard for four with a direct hit from mid-wicket at the bowler's end.

Debutant David Stiff conceded 134 runs from his 25 overs, which included a liberal sprinkling of wides and no-balls.

Onions offered barely anything loose and, after removing Trescothick in the second over, made it 39-2 when Arul Suppiah got a leading edge to be caught and bowled, also for 12. The same over saw James Hildreth pinned lbw.

Steve Harmison got in on the act by having Zander de Bruyn caught behind down the leg side without scoring and there were two more ducks as Onions had Craig Kieswetter taken in the slips and Peter Trego caught behind. Omari Banks fell to Callum Thorp for four and by tea the follow-on was a near certainty. More feeble batting saw Alfonso Thomas and Stiff depart before Onions collected his sixth wicket, having Charl Willoughby caught.

Second time around Somerset made a better fist of things and had reached 49 when Suppiah fell lbw pushing forward to Mitchell Claydon.

Trescothick looked in good touch as he eased his way to 32, while James Hildreth also played fluently to be unbeaten on 22.

Somerset coach Andy Hurry said: "It was a poor batting effort and now we have to show some character to grind out a result. If we do it could galvanise the squad for the rest of the season."