Composed centuries from skipper Adam Voges and James Franklin led Middlesex to a five-wicket LV=County Championship victory over Somerset

Voges hit 132 and shared a fourth-wicket stand of exactly 200 with Franklin, who contributed 115 not out, as the visitors coasted to success against a toothless Somerset attack, deprived of their quickest bowler, Jamie Overton, because of injury.

Starting the day on 31 without loss, Middlesex, helped by 78 from Nick Gubbins, overcame the early loss of Sam Robson and Nick Compton to dominate proceedings and collect 22 points to Somerset’s eight.

For the hosts it was a second home defeat in as many Championship games under new director of cricket Matthew Maynard in a worrying start to the new campaign.

It looked set to be a closer contest when Lewis Gregory added to his six first innings wickets by having Robson caught at second slip for 15 and bowling Compton shouldering arms with an inswinger for four.

But that was as good as it got for Somerset, who barely threatened once the shine had gone off the ball. Gubbins reached his second half-century of the match off 64 balls, with 6 fours and 2 sixes, sharing a partnership of 92 with Voges.

It was ended by Abdur Rehman scattering Gubbins’ stumps with the total on 137. But it proved a frustrating day for the experienced Pakistan left-arm spinner, who was unable to extract much assistance from the last day pitch.

By lunch Middlesex had progressed to 148 for three, with Voges unbeaten on 34. He and Franklin then batted through the afternoon session with virtually no alarms.

Voges reached his half-century off 84 balls, with 5 fours, while Franklin followed to the same landmark off 106 deliveries, having hit eight boundaries.

Just before tea Voges, who failed by only two to make a first innings hundred, reached three figures, having paced his innings perfectly. By then he had hit 10 fours in facing 163 balls.

Middlesex went into the final session needing 122 from a minimum of 32 overs. Somerset’s last hope was the second new ball, taken with 99 required off 22.5 overs.

It made little difference with Voges and Franklin well set and playing with an air of invincibility. By the time Tim Groenewald broke the stand by having Voges caught behind driving only 65 were needed.

Franklin continued to play with patience and skill, reaching his ton off 210 balls, with 13 fours, by square driving Rehman to the boundary.

Thanks largely to his efforts and those of Voges, Middlesex achieved the third highest winning run chase at Taunton with seven balls to spare, despite having Neil Dexter bowled by Rehman with 21 still needed.