The 12th round of the ongoing Championship season threw up a mouth-watering clash, between the two teams in Division One – Surrey and Somerset. With 24 points between the two sides, a draw would help Surrey to strengthen their stranglehold over top spot and move into pole position for the title, with two matches left to play after this.
The table toppers had signed Bangladesh international Shakib Al Hasan for this fixture. He will rejoin the Bangladesh national team for their tour of India after this match is complete.
Archie Vaughan, son of former England captain Michael Vaughan, was named in Somerset's side for just his second first-class match. Against Durham on debut, he had scored 30 and 16 not out, and chipped in with 1-69 and 2-40 bowling off-spin. But while Vaughan has shown talent with the bat so far in his short career, he starred with the ball during the second innings of this match.
Batting first, Somerset were in a precarious position at 155-4 before Tom Banton excelled with a superb knock of 132 to lift his side to 317. Tom Abell (49) and Vaughan (44) made significant contributions. Shakib took 4-97 for Surrey.
Essex have been docked 12 points after the ECB found Feroze Khushi's bat to be too wide.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) September 11, 2024
It has virtually ruled the county out of the race in this year's Championship title.
Needless to say, their president wasn't pleased.
➡️ https://t.co/pgNO0ntnLv pic.twitter.com/WDmRDlxZ9E
Surrey then made a cautious start with the bat on day two, before Vaughan struck in the 17th over as Dom Sibley took on the off-spinner, but only hit him to mid wicket. Four overs later, the 18-year-old picked up another, trapping Rory Burns lbw for 21 after the left-hander tried to sweep. Vaughan took a third wicket on the day as Ben Geddes top-edged a sweep shot to Lewis Goldsworthy at short fine leg.
On day three, he picked up where he had left off. After Somerset's senior spinner Jack Leach removed Ryan Patel and Shakib, Vaughan got rid of Ben Foakes as the batter nudged a leg-stump delivery to the fielder at forward short leg.
Vaughan then struck twice in the space of three deliveries. Jordan Clark was removed by a diving catch from Tom Abell at a widish mid-on, before Cameron Steel played back to a delivery which skidded on to disturb the off stump.
Tom Curran's valiant innings of 85 then helped Surrey take a four-run lead. Vaughan bowled 37 overs in all, finishing with figures of 6-102.
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