Cricket

Surrey and Somerset, fresh from their thrilling County Championship encounter, will renew their rivalry in the T20 Blast semi-final at Edgbaston on Saturday. Despite recent setbacks, Surrey captain Chris Jordan insists his team is ready for the challenge.Jordan acknowledges the competitive nature of the fixture, highlighting the importance of adapting to the different tempo and mindset required for T20 cricket. He praises Dom Sibley's recent performances, showcasing his versatility and power-hitting abilities.Surrey will be missing several key players due to international commitments, but Jordan remains confident in his squad's depth. He emphasizes the need for a balanced approach, prioritizing England's interests while ensuring the availability of players for important domestic matches.The article also touches on the ongoing debate surrounding the impact of franchise cricket on the county season. Jordan expresses sympathy for Jason Roy's decision to prioritize CPL commitments, recognizing the changing landscape of T20 cricket.Regarding his own England ambitions, Jordan remains realistic about his chances of being part of the white-ball reboot under Brendon McCullum. He focuses on performing well for Surrey and Southern Brave, while acknowledging the transition period within the England team.

Somerset's thrilling victory over Surrey in the County Championship Division One has reignited the title race, with the defending champions' lead now reduced to eight points. The match witnessed a dramatic final session, with Somerset securing victory with just minutes remaining.Tom Banton, who had top-scored for Somerset in the first innings with 132, suffered a setback when he rolled his ankle while playing football. The injury is expected to rule him out of Saturday's Blast semi-final rematch against Surrey.Archie Vaughan, the son of former England captain Michael Vaughan, emerged as a hero for Somerset, claiming match figures of 11 for 140. Jack Leach also played a crucial role, taking 9 for 142.Surrey's collapse from 95 for 3 to 109 all out in the final session handed Somerset the victory. Somerset captain Lewis Gregory praised his team's resilience and highlighted the exceptional performances of Vaughan and Leach."It was a crazy hour at the end," Gregory said. "There were periods when not much happened, but the lads hung in there and Jack Leach and Archie Vaughan were fantastic the whole game."Surrey head coach Gareth Batty acknowledged the team's concentration lapse in the final hour but remained confident in their ability to retain the title."We had a concentration lapse for the last hour of the game and it cost us the result," Batty said. "We are still top of the league and eight points clear."With two rounds of the Championship remaining, Surrey's destiny remains in their own hands. They will host Durham at home before traveling to Chelmsford to face Essex. Somerset, meanwhile, will aim to maintain their momentum and challenge for a domestic treble, having already progressed to the One-Day Cup final.

Somerset's Vitality T20 Blast Finals Day hopes hang in the balance as star batsman Tom Banton faces an anxious wait to determine the severity of an ankle injury sustained during a pre-match football warm-up.Banton, who has been in scintillating form for Somerset this season, went over on his ankle on Wednesday morning, forcing him to miss the field during Surrey's first innings in the County Championship match at Taunton. An X-ray ruled out an ankle break, but an MRI scan on Thursday will provide a clearer picture of the damage.Despite the injury, Banton displayed his unwavering commitment to the team by hobbling out to bat at No. 11 with a runner. He remained unbeaten on 28 off 28 balls, showcasing his determination to contribute even in limited capacity.Somerset, the defending Blast champions, will face Surrey in the first semi-final on Saturday morning. Banton's absence would be a significant blow to their title defense, as he is their leading run-scorer in the tournament with 515 runs at an impressive strike rate of 151.02.Andy Hurry, Somerset's director of cricket, expressed concern over Banton's injury but praised his resilience. "We will get him scanned tomorrow and will have more information by the end of play," Hurry said. "His heroics in batting today show how passionate he is about the club."Hurry also defended the club's decision to include football in their warm-ups, emphasizing its benefits in terms of energy levels and mental preparation. "As director of cricket, I am keen to support it because I understand the value players get from it," he said.Somerset will anxiously await the results of Banton's MRI scan, hoping that their star batsman will be fit enough to play in the Blast Finals Day. His presence would undoubtedly boost their chances of retaining the title.

Somerset's hopes of securing a crucial victory in the Vitality County Championship were dealt a significant blow on the third day of their clash with Surrey at Taunton. Despite posting a first-innings total of 317, Somerset found themselves trailing by 190 runs after Surrey's Tom Curran launched a remarkable assault on their bowlers.Curran, making his first appearance in the competition for two years, smashed eight sixes and six fours in a game-changing innings of 86 from just 75 balls. His heroics rescued Surrey from a precarious 228 for 8 and propelled them to a first-innings total of 321.Somerset's bowling attack, led by 18-year-old off-spinner Archie Vaughan, who finished with 6 for 102, and Jack Leach, who claimed 4 for 105, had initially put the visitors under pressure. However, Curran's onslaught turned the tide in Surrey's favor.The hosts' hopes of building a substantial lead were further dented when Surrey's bowlers reduced them to 194 for 9 by stumps on a rain-interrupted afternoon. Shakib Al Hasan was the pick of the Surrey bowlers, taking 4 for 83.Craig Overton remained unbeaten on 40, having added 41 for the last wicket with a stricken Tom Banton (28 not out), who batted heroically with a runner after suffering an ankle injury during the warm-up.Surrey's victory charge was spearheaded by Curran, whose innings was a testament to his exceptional power-hitting ability. His sixes and fours propelled Surrey to two batting points and gave them a significant advantage heading into the final day.Somerset will need to produce a remarkable comeback on the fourth day if they are to salvage a positive result from this crucial encounter.

Wicket-Keeper No-Ball: A Rare Occurrence in CricketIn a rare turn of events, Northamptonshire wicket-keeper Lewis McManus committed a no-ball in a Vitality T20 Blast match against Somerset. The incident occurred when Somerset's Tom Kohler-Cadmore was on strike and McManus appealed for a stumping. However, replays revealed that McManus' gloves had crossed the line of the stumps before he collected the ball, prompting the third umpire to call a no-ball.According to Law 27.3.1 and 27.3.2 set by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the wicket-keeper must remain wholly behind the wicket at the striker's end until the ball comes into play or until the striker attempts a run. In this case, McManus' gloves were ahead of the stumps before any of these conditions were met, resulting in the no-ball call.The no-ball proved costly for Northamptonshire, as Kohler-Cadmore slammed the free-hit into the stands for six. He went on to score 63 runs, helping Somerset post a total of 215 in 20 overs. Northamptonshire fell 17 runs short in their chase.This type of no-ball is uncommon in cricket, as wicket-keepers are typically careful to avoid crossing the line of the stumps. However, it serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to the laws of the game.

Surrey's Ryan Patel led a resilient batting performance to challenge Somerset's dominance on day two of their top-of-the-table Vitality County Championship First Division clash at Taunton.Patel remained unbeaten on 61 as Surrey reached 169 for three, trailing Somerset's first innings total of 317 by 148 runs. Ben Geddes contributed a valuable 50, while all three wickets fell to 18-year-old off-spinner Archie Vaughan.Surrey's pursuit of Somerset's total was aided by a solid opening partnership between Rory Burns and Dom Sibley. However, Vaughan's introduction into the attack proved challenging, and he dismissed both openers in quick succession.Patel and Geddes then steadied the innings, rotating the strike and capitalizing on loose deliveries. By lunch, they had guided Surrey to 91 for two, with Geddes unbeaten on 27 and Patel 19 not out.After the break, Geddes reached his half-century with a boundary off Vaughan. However, he departed shortly after, miscuing a sweep and offering a simple catch to Lewis Goldsworthy.Patel continued to anchor the innings, reaching his own half-century after a patient 130-ball stay at the crease. Ben Foakes provided solid support as Surrey strengthened their position.With the score on 168 for three, rain intervened and forced the players off the field. The rain persisted, leading to the abandonment of play just after 4.30pm.Surrey will resume their innings on day three, needing to close the gap on Somerset's first innings total. A draw would be sufficient to maintain their significant lead in the Championship standings with only two more games remaining.

Somerset's Tom Banton showcased his exceptional batting prowess on the opening day of the Vitality County Championship Division One clash against Surrey, scoring a magnificent 132 runs. The home side, batting first at Taunton, posted a competitive 317 all out, setting the stage for an intriguing contest.Banton's innings was a masterclass in strokeplay, featuring 16 boundaries and a towering six. He formed a crucial partnership with Tom Abell (49) and James Rew (38), guiding Somerset to a solid position. However, Surrey's bowlers fought back with the second new ball, led by Bangladesh spinner Shakib Al Hasan (4-92) and Dan Worrall (3-41).The match began with a setback for Somerset as Lewis Goldsworthy was dismissed for a duck. Archie Vaughan and Tom Lammonby steadied the innings, but Lammonby fell to Jordan Clark. Vaughan, despite a slow start, played with composure, reaching 44 at lunch.After the break, Worrall removed Vaughan, and Shakib claimed the wicket of Abell. Banton and Rew then flourished, taking the score to 197 for 4 at tea. Banton reached his century off 132 balls, while Rew contributed a valuable 35.The introduction of the second new ball proved decisive for Surrey. Worrall dismissed Banton and Kasey Aldridge in quick succession, while Shakib accounted for Craig Overton. Lewis Gregory and Brett Randell were also dismissed cheaply, leaving Somerset with a total of 317.Surrey's bowlers will be pleased with their fightback, but Somerset will be confident of defending their total on a pitch expected to offer increasing turn. The match is poised for an exciting conclusion over the next few days.

Surrey Cricket Club has secured the services of world-renowned all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan for a crucial County Championship match against Somerset. The move comes as Surrey faces a shortage of players due to England duty commitments.Shakib, a veteran of international cricket, brings a wealth of experience and exceptional skills to the Surrey squad. His arrival is expected to bolster the team's batting and bowling capabilities. Surrey's director of cricket, Alec Stewart, expressed his delight at signing Shakib, stating that it was an "easy decision" given the team's current situation.Surrey is currently in contention for a third consecutive Championship title, and Shakib's presence is seen as a significant boost to their chances. The club is missing eight players due to England duty, including spin-bowling all-rounders Will Jacks and Dan Lawrence.Shakib's signing effectively replaces Sai Sudharsan, who has returned to India for domestic commitments. For Shakib, the match provides an opportunity to gain competitive experience ahead of Bangladesh's upcoming Test series in India.In addition to Shakib, Surrey has also convinced Tom Curran to return to first-class cricket after a two-year absence. Curran had previously announced his retirement from red-ball cricket but has been included in the squad for the Somerset match.Somerset, Surrey's opponents, have also made a signing, bringing in New Zealand seamer Brett Randell on a short-term deal. Elsewhere, Lancashire has signed Trinidadian seamer Anderson Phillip for their final three Championship games as they aim to avoid relegation.

Somerset's explosive batting display, led by Tom Banton's blistering 75 off 43 balls, propelled them to a 17-run victory over Northamptonshire Steelbacks in the Vitality Blast quarterfinal. The triumph secured Somerset's place at Finals Day.Banton's innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, featuring five sixes and six fours. He formed a formidable partnership with Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who contributed 63 off 43 balls, including two fours and five sixes. The duo's 125-run stand in 11.3 overs set the tone for Somerset's imposing total of 215 for three.Northamptonshire's chase was spearheaded by David Willey, who smashed 57 off 39 deliveries. Saif Zaib, Ricardo Vasconcelos, and Justin Broad also made significant contributions, but Somerset's bowlers, led by Lewis Gregory's three wickets for 35, proved too strong.Willey's early strike removed Will Smeed, but Somerset capitalized on wayward bowling from Willey and Ben Sanderson, who gifted them numerous wide deliveries. Banton's aggressive approach, including a six off Willey and a crunching drive down the ground, set the pace for Somerset's innings.Kohler-Cadmore struggled initially but found his rhythm, hitting a six over long-off and two boundaries off Ashton Agar's expensive over. He added two more sixes off Justin Broad, while Banton reached his half-century off 31 balls.Banton's dismissal came after a spectacular catch on the boundary, but Kohler-Cadmore continued to punish the Northamptonshire bowlers, reaching his half-century off 38 balls. He was eventually caught by Zaib at deep midwicket, but Sean Dickson and Gregory added a valuable 44-run stand in the final overs.Northamptonshire's chase began in persistent rain, and they lost George Bartlett early. Willey's aggressive batting kept them in the hunt, but Vasconcelos' dismissal and Broad's tame return catch gave Somerset the upper hand.Zaib and Willey kept the scoreboard ticking, but Gregory's three wickets, including Zaib's catch at mid-on, proved decisive. Willey's late surge, including a six off Ball, was not enough to prevent Northamptonshire from falling 17 runs short.