Joe Root turned the tide for Yorkshire with a bowling spell that rattled Somerset at Taunton. Root finished with 4‑49 while fellow spinner Dom Bess claimed 4‑60. Together they dismantled a side that had taken a 112‑run first‑innings lead, leaving the hosts 19 points ahead in Division One.

Somerset’s chase collapsed after an early strike from Craig Overton, who took 4‑94 in 371 balls. Jhye Richardson’s 122‑ball half‑century failed to lift the visitors, and the home side’s top order fell apart as they were bowled out for 184, 76 runs shy of the target.

Root’s four wickets and Bess’s turn‑taking turned the match into a Yorkshire showcase. The win secures a 19‑point haul, pushing the county to the top of the table while Somerset slips to fourth, losing the Division One lead. The flat pitch and early wickets set the tone for a decisive finish.

With 19 points, Yorkshire now sit comfortably above the relegation zone, while Somerset’s loss keeps them in a precarious position. Root’s dual role as bowler and captain underlines his importance to Yorkshire’s campaign. The result confirms the county’s dominance in Division One and sets the stage for a tight race among the top four.