SURREY’S third successive County Championship title was confirmed today when Lancashire took just 32 minutes and 7.1 overs on the fourth morning to complete a 168-run victory over Somerset at Old Trafford.

Resuming on 204 for six, Somerset were dismissed for 224 with Luke Wells taking two of the wickets to finish with four for 36 and Anderson Phillip the other two to finish with three for 81.

While the result ends Somerset’s hopes of winning a maiden County Championship title, it does little to boost Lancashire’s chances of avoiding relegation after next week’s concluding round of matches.