The race for the County Championship title took a dramatic turn at The Cooper Associates County Ground as Somerset defeated leaders Surrey by 111 runs on Day 4.
This victory narrowed the gap at the top to just eight points with two rounds of fixtures remaining. Somerset’s win was propelled by Tom Banton’s century and Archie Vaughan’s five-wicket haul in the first innings, which helped them stay competitive.
Despite a valiant 46 from the limping Banton in a crucial 71-run stand for the last wicket, setting a target of 221 for Surrey, the match seemed poised for a draw with Surrey comfortably placed at 95/3 heading into the final session.
However, Vaughan and Jack Leach orchestrated a dramatic collapse, reducing Surrey from 95/3 to 101/8 in just seven overs. Jordan Clark and Kemar Roach briefly revived Surrey’s hopes, surviving 70 deliveries with only extras scoring, leaving Somerset with minutes to secure a historic win.
Leach, taking the ball for perhaps one final effort, induced a crucial edge from Clark, who was dismissed for a duck. With Roach having already faced 30 balls, Leach had just two deliveries to dismiss Daniel Worrall before Roach could return to strike.
Leach set an aggressive field with nine players around the bat, including three slips and various close-in fielders. Worrall initially fended off the first ball, but the second delivery, pitched on a good length, beat the inside edge and struck his pads.
❤️ Cricket ❤️#SOMvSUR#WeAreSomerset pic.twitter.com/S7IrAEMezz
— Somerset Cricket (@SomersetCCC) September 12, 2024
All 11 Somerset players appealed in unison, and the umpire quickly raised his finger, sealing the match. Leach and his teammates erupted in celebration as the stadium’s energy turned electric, with the broadcast cameras trembling from the crowd’s roar, marking the match as a County classic.
