Somerset 269 (Davies 86, Trescothick 65, Clarke 7-55) and 113 for 4 path Surrey 433 (Sangakkara 157, Stoneman 51, Pope 50, Clarke 50, Trego 5-67) by 51 runs
The majesty of Kumar Sangakkara’s innings, which encompassed 157 in an euphoric hour’s batting in the early morning, paved the way to an afternoon of attritional cricket in keeping with the bleak skies at The Oval.
For Somerset, dealing with a deficit of 164 runs while attempting not to be discouraged by occasions 5 miles north, where Middlesex were protecting an important Championship success, this was a day to ditch and battle, understanding that their treasured Division One status might rely on it.
On an Oval wicket offering uncommon help for joint, a minimum of by its generally docile requirements, the job threatened to be an intimidating one, specifically when Sam Curran curved the 8th ball of Somerset’s reply far from Marcus Trescothick, who slid it into the hands of 3rd slip.
By the time play was truncated, as bad light and after that rain left 37 overs in the day unbowled, Somerset had actually provided an undesirable tip of the batting frailties that have actually weakened a season that had actually started with authentic hope that they might enhance on their Championship position by a singular position therefore take the title to the Quantocks for the extremely very first time.
Such optimism passed away long back, changed by the sobering truth that Somerset’s Division One berth is threatened. They have actually delighted in 10 unbroken years in Division One, the greatest of any county – and, undoubtedly, an all-time record.
It is a testimony to what Somerset have actually accomplished with an excellent youth system – one that establishes skill not simply in the county’s boundaries however in the whole South-West, with Devon producing alone producing a powerful home-grown bowling attack recently – and strong regional pride.
They have actually outshined counties who delight in the advantages of hosting Test cricket and monetary influence, either from their premises or, regularly, from generous regional backers. Their status as the most popular 2nd county in the shies, both for what the success of the club suggests to the county and for how they have actually challenged monetary determinism in domestic cricket, is reputable.
If 3 Championship runners-ups medals in 7 seasons have actually brought no medals – and there has actually been massive heartbreak in the other competitors too – their efficiencies have actually brought substantial pride.
After a chastening season, ruined both by beats on the field and badly handled legal circumstances for their gamers off it, the very same pride has actually appeared in current weeks too. Somerset reacted to a thumping at Chelmsford with back-to-back success at Edgbaston and in the house to Lancashire. These were engaging overall efficiencies, the sort to briefly revive memories of those September imagine 2016.
Getting away The Oval with a draw would be a big aid if Somerset are to winter season eagerly anticipating an 11th straight year in Division One.
