Somerset's Nick Compton hits career-best against Durham

Nick Compton hit 24 fours and also hit a six in his 254 not out

Nick Compton hit a career-best double century as Somerset amassed a daunting total against Durham.

Resuming on 149, Compton made 254 not out in a nine-hour vigil as Somerset declared on 610-6, the highest total by a visiting side at Chester-le-Street.

The former Middlesex man also shared a sixth-wicket partnership of 191 with Peter Trego (98).

Durham closed 428 behind on 182-4, opener Michael di Venuto making 86, while Steve Kirby took 2-40.

Resuming on 383-4, Somserset lost Jos Buttler to the seventh ball of the day, edging a back-foot shot off Callum Thorp to Phil Mustard.

That brought in Trego to join Compton who, in reaching 200 for the first time, recorded the joint-second highest individual score seen at The Riverside.

He matched the 254 made by di Venuto against Sussex two years ago, but the record is still held by fellow Australian Martin Love, who hit 273 against Hampshire in 2003.

Trego smashed two sixes and 12 fours in his 98 off 100 balls, before falling to Scott Borthwick (2-90).

Teenager Lewis Gregory (16no) helped push Somerset to over 600 in only his second Championship game.

Somerset's total was the second highest on the ground, 38 shy of the record, Durham's 648-5 against Nottinghamshire two years ago.

In reply, Durham began with a stand on 71 for the first wicket, Will Smith making only 13 of them before Kirby bagged him at third slip to an excellent catch by Trego.

Kirby then got rid of Gordon Muchall for a five-ball duck, while Ben Stokes added 21 but fell to Gemaal Hussain who found extra bounce in the pitch.

Di Venuto, who had looked in control with 13 fours, was fourth out with the total on 139, slicing 18-year-old Gregory to Compton at point.

Dale Benkenstein (26no) and Mustard (19no) added 43 in the final 11 overs as Durham closed on 182-4.

CLOSE OF PLAY SUMMARY

BBC Newcastle's Martin Emmerson:

"I'm told Durham's decision to put Somerset in on day one was more of a team decision. But what a disaster it was. In all honesty, the visitors could have batted for a week.

"Durham have to show some real guts and determination now but may be hampered by Ian Blackwell's latest injury scare. He hardly fielded because of a back spasm and it remains to be seen if he will bat on day three.

"As for Compton, the former Durham University player clearly likes playing Durham.

"His previous career best, 190 for Middlesex at Lord's in 2006, was also against Durham. But he will have war wounds to show for his efforts, having taken a heavy blow to the head from a Graham Onions bouncer, which smashed the ear cap off his helmet. Expect a nasty bruise there."