Somerset and Surrey Battle on Day Three

On day three of the Vitality County Championship Division One match in Taunton, Somerset's Archie Vaughan took 6-102, helping bowl out Surrey before the visitors struck back with the ball. The 18-year-old, playing only his second first-class match, dismissed key players including England's Ben Foakes, Jordan Clark, and Cameron Steel to limit Surrey to a slim four-run first-innings lead.

Despite Vaughan’s heroics with the ball, Somerset's second innings struggled. Vaughan could only add three runs before being bowled by Shakib Al Hasan, leaving Somerset in a difficult position at 75-5. However, Craig Overton (40) and a limping Tom Banton (28) put up a gritty partnership to carry Somerset to 194-9 by stumps, giving them a lead of 190 runs.

Surrey, eager to secure their eighth win of the season and close in on a third consecutive title, will look to chase down the target on the final day. But Somerset hopes to rely on spinners Jack Leach and Vaughan on a pitch that has been favouring spin. Leach, an experienced spinner and part of England’s squad for the upcoming Pakistan tour, finished Surrey's first innings with 4-105, removing key players like Rishi Patel and Tom Curran, who had counter-attacked with a brisk 86 off 75 balls.

Shakib Al Hasan, brought in by Surrey for this match, played a crucial role, taking 4-83 in Somerset’s second innings, including wickets of Tom Abell, James Rew, and Lewis Gregory. The game remains finely poised, with both teams believing they can secure victory on the final day.

Archie Vaughan expressed his excitement after the day’s play, saying he simply focused on bowling his best deliveries consistently, trusting the pitch to assist his efforts. He added that although he enjoys both batting and bowling, he tries to have fun, which helps him perform well. Vaughan also emphasised the team’s confidence in their bowling attack and their belief that "anything can happen" as they look ahead to the match’s conclusion.