Somerset’s hopes of securing a crucial victory in the Vitality County Championship were dealt a significant blow on the third day of their clash with Surrey at Taunton. Despite posting a first-innings total of 317, Somerset found themselves trailing by 190 runs after Surrey’s Tom Curran launched a remarkable assault on their bowlers.
Curran, making his first appearance in the competition for two years, smashed eight sixes and six fours in a game-changing innings of 86 from just 75 balls. His heroics rescued Surrey from a precarious 228 for 8 and propelled them to a first-innings total of 321.
Somerset’s bowling attack, led by 18-year-old off-spinner Archie Vaughan, who finished with 6 for 102, and Jack Leach, who claimed 4 for 105, had initially put the visitors under pressure. However, Curran’s onslaught turned the tide in Surrey’s favor.
The hosts’ hopes of building a substantial lead were further dented when Surrey’s bowlers reduced them to 194 for 9 by stumps on a rain-interrupted afternoon. Shakib Al Hasan was the pick of the Surrey bowlers, taking 4 for 83.
Craig Overton remained unbeaten on 40, having added 41 for the last wicket with a stricken Tom Banton (28 not out), who batted heroically with a runner after suffering an ankle injury during the warm-up.
Surrey’s victory charge was spearheaded by Curran, whose innings was a testament to his exceptional power-hitting ability. His sixes and fours propelled Surrey to two batting points and gave them a significant advantage heading into the final day.
Somerset will need to produce a remarkable comeback on the fourth day if they are to salvage a positive result from this crucial encounter.
