Somerset finally amongst the runs

SKIPPER Tom Abell scored Somerset’s first hundred of the season in the LV County Championship as his side finally found some batting form against Surrey at the Kia Oval.

Beaten in their first two Division One games by Hampshire and Essex, Somerset took a bit of a risk when they opted to bat first on a green-tinged pitch.

But Abell, who came in during the tenth over following the dismissal of Tom Lammonby, batted through the rest of an absorbing, hard-fought day to reach 121 not out as Somerset, who are looking for their first Championship win at The Oval since 1995, closed on 283 for six.

As conditions eased Abell prospered. His most productive partnership was with veteran James Hildreth, who had made one of only two half-centuries in Somerset’s four innings this season but passed 18,000 first-class runs in his 54.

They added 103 in 28 overs either side of tea at nearly four runs an over to secure Somerset’s first batting bonus point of the season and it was a surprise when Hildreth drove loosely at off-spinner Will Jacks and was caught at point shortly after reaching his 80th first-class fifty.

Somerset had scored 109, 154, 180 and 135 in their four previous Championship innings this season and their supporters might have feared a repeat when Lammonby fell to Reece Topley. The leftarmer got a ball angled in to straighten and the edge was well taken low at second slip by Pope.

Surrey’s accurate attack gave away only 62 runs in the morning session and their efforts were typified by Sam Curran, who was playing his first game of 2022 after recovering from a back injury. He bowled a six-over spell at a cost of nine runs and four more after lunch which went for eight runs.

Abell and Matt Renshaw put on 66 for the second wicket when Jamie Overton had Renshaw caught at second slip for 48 with the first ball of a new spell, and Somerset were 120 for three in the 53rd over after Tom Banton was drawn forward by Jordan Clark and got a thin edge to wicketkeeper Ben Foakes.

Hildreth’s dismissal came off the final delivery before Surrey took the new ball and Jordan Clark enjoyed immediate success with it, removing Steven Davies for a duck.

Craig Overton was caught at backward point when Topley dug one in short to pick up his second wicket and leave Somerset 237 for six and in danger of squandering their captain’s diligence.

But Josh Davey helped Abell add an unbroken 46 for the seventh wicket and ensured Somerset enjoyed their best day of the season so far.