SOMERSET head coach Jason Kerr has reacted after Somerset's defeat against Durham by an innings and six runs in the Vitality County Championship.

Ben Stokes performed impeccably with the ball as Durham took only five sessions to win at the the Seat Unique Riverside.

The result saw Durham climb to fourth, while Somerset remain in second in the Vitality County Championship Division One table.

Speaking after the match, Kerr said: “On day one, I think par was probably over 200 and Migael (Pretorius) played well but I knew we had to bowl well and I think we did that. 

“Obviously Bally came in (for Pretorius) and was absolutely outstanding, but we couldn’t support that from the other end during that last wicket partnership.

“We were massively in the game this morning and we talked about that first hour and making opportunities and trying to have parity in the game.

“We knew that once the ball gets to 20-30 overs old, it becomes a different surface and that last wicket partnership made a significant difference in the game.”

He also spoke to the ECB Reporters Network about a sickness bug that has been affecting his players in their camp.

“A few of the guys have got it,” he said.

“Lewis (Gregory) has been struggling with it throughout the game and he’s just been vomiting as we speak so it's not ideal.”

Meanwhile, Tom Banton was unable to bat on day two.

“Bants was slightly different and he’s got a neck injury, which he sustained this morning (Saturday),” said Kerr

“Initially we were optimistic that he was going to play some part in the game and towards the end, we thought it wasn’t worth the risk.”

Report supplied by Thomas Ridley on behalf of the ECB Reporters Network.