CricketIreland spinner George Dockrell made a sensational start to the season with Somerset yesterday as he helped bowl his side to a six-wicket victory in the their opening County Championship Division One tie against Middlesex, writes EMMET RIORDAN.

The 19-year-old Dubliner had taken two wickets in Middlesex’s first innings, but with the Taunton wicket offering good turn and bounce yesterday he would go on to return brilliant figures of six for 27 in 20.1 overs, his best innings return in first-class cricket. He finished with match figures of eight for 62.

Middlesex collapsed from 135 for three to 175 all out in their second innings, thanks largely to the efforts of Dockrell, leaving Somerset needing just 72 to win.

Despite the loss of Marcus Trescothick for a third-ball duck and three other wickets, the hosts reached their target in 16 overs and took 22 points from the game, while Middlesex claimed only three.