DURHAM had to suffer a century by Johann Myburgh at Taunton today before Paul Collingwood revived his side's flagging fortunes by taking four wickets.

Somerset took advantage of winning the toss on a sunny morning by reaching 224 for two, but increasing cloud cover allowed Collingwood to find some swing and at tea the hosts were 249 for six.

Having looked as dangerous as anyone in his morning spell, the captain struck with the first ball of his second, which Myburgh inexplicably hit straight to short extra cover off the back foot.

The 34-year-old South African, who failed to impress in his half season at Chester-le-Street three years ago, made 118.

In his next over the wily Collingwood again prompted a lapse in concentration from a batsman in full cry, having James Hildreth lbw for 53 when he had already hit two classy off-side fours in the over.

Alex Barrow had his bails trimmed by a swinger and Lewis Gregory was lbw without scoring.

Like a lot of little men, Myburgh proved strong off the back foot and Graham Onions and John Hastings were guilty of feeding that strength as he followed his 91-ball half-century by hitting his second 50 off 43 balls.

Several of his 15 fours were stroked sublimely through the covers off the back, including the one which took him to 50, although he was comprehensively beaten by Onions' next ball.

On 89 he edged Hastings just wide of second slip to pass his previous top score for Somerset of 91, made in last season's opening match against Yorkshire.

When Scott Borthwick was introduced, Myburgh drove his first ball, a full toss, for four then flipped another full toss to fine leg to complete his century.

Both batsmen pulled Borthwick for six before he made way for Collingwood in what proved a game-changing move.

The other wicket to fall in the afternoon was that of Tom Cooper, who was aiming for mid-wicket when he was lbw to Paul Coughlin after contributing 47 to a century stand with Myburgh.