Tom Banton's impressive third first-class century helped Somerset post 317 on the first day of their County Championship Division One match against table-toppers Surrey at Taunton.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Somerset looked to take advantage of a pitch expected to offer more turn as the game progressed. Banton played a superb innings, scoring 132—just one run shy of his career-best—which included 16 boundaries and a six. He was supported by Tom Abell, who scored 49, and James Rew with 38.
However, Surrey staged a strong comeback with the second new ball, reducing Somerset from a promising 305-5. Bangladesh left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan, brought in just for this match, claimed 4-97, while Dan Worrall chipped in with 3-41.
Starting the day 24 points behind Surrey in the standings, Somerset had an early setback when Lewis Goldsworthy was bowled by a Kemar Roach inswinger that clipped the off stump on just the second ball of the match.
18-year-old Archie Vaughan, making his debut in the opening slot, partnered with Tom Lammonby to recover from the early loss. They took the score to 33 before Lammonby, on 21, edged a ball from Jordan Clark to Dom Sibley at second slip. Vaughan, though slow to start, looked steady as he reached 44 by lunch, surviving a dropped catch by Sibley on 41 off Tom Curran.
Abell, fresh off centuries in Somerset's last two home games, confidently built a partnership with Vaughan until Worrall dismissed Vaughan early in the afternoon, caught behind after edging a defensive shot.
Surrey, missing key players due to international duties, leaned heavily on Shakib. Banton broke free with a pair of reverse-swept boundaries off him, but Abell fell just short of fifty, bowled by Shakib on 49. Banton reached his half-century off 90 balls, supported by Rew, as they took Somerset to 197-4 by tea.
In the final session, Banton accelerated, hitting Cameron Steel for a four and a six to move into the 90s. He brought up his century off 132 balls, celebrating with a single off Jordan Clark. Meanwhile, Rew played a supporting role, helping reach a 100-run partnership with Banton.
However, Somerset’s innings quickly unravelled after the second new ball was taken. Worrall bowled Banton with a slower ball as the batter attempted an aggressive shot, while Shakib claimed two more wickets in the following over—Aldridge bowled and Overton stumped off poorly timed attacking strokes.
Lewis Gregory fell for a duck to Worrall, leaving Somerset 317 all out after losing four wickets in 14 balls. Brett Randell, on debut, was the last wicket to fall, caught for 3 as Shakib and Surrey ended the day on a high note.