Kartik scalps six to guide Somerset to victory

Out-of-favour Indian left-arm spinner Murali Kartik returned with magical figures of six for 61 to help his side Somerset beat Warwickshire by nine wickets in the County Division Championship at Taunton.

Playing only his second championship match for Somerset, Kartik on Wednesday spun a web around Warwickshire batsmen in the second innings during his 29-over spell to bowl out the visitors for a lowly 207 on the penultimate day of the four-day match.

Needing 45 runs to complete the win, Somerset reached the target inside 11 overs with the only casualty being captain Marcus Trescothick.

With their second consecutive victory, Somerset, who lost their first five matches in the championship, moved to the top half of the table with 21 points.

Kartik's six-wicket haul came on a wicket which was unusually grassy, offering more bounce than turn.

The 33-year-old spinner accounted for Jim Troughton, Rikki Clarke, Tim Ambrose, A G Botha and C R Woakes.

Troughton, who made six off 55 balls, was leg before trying to pull a short ball. Clarke, who was dropped at slip, also went the same way while Ambrose was caught at second slip.  Botha, however, was cleaned up Kartik while Woakes was caught at mid-off by Craig Kieswetter.

Brief score: Somerset (290 & 45-1) bt Warwickshire (127 & 207) by 9 wkts.