Cricket

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 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.

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.

Somerset's Tom Abell continued his impressive form with a second consecutive century, leading his team to a commanding 395 for 6 on the opening day of their County Championship clash against Durham.Abell, who scored an unbeaten 152 against Warwickshire in his previous home game, struck 124 off 181 deliveries, including 18 boundaries. He shared a record-breaking 185-run partnership with Tom Banton (73) for Somerset's fourth wicket against Durham.James Rew remained unbeaten on 89 at the close, while Daniel Hogg and Callum Parkinson claimed two wickets each for Durham.Somerset handed a first-class debut to Archie Vaughan, the son of former England captain Michael Vaughan. The 18-year-old allrounder impressed in this season's Metro Bank One Day Cup.Captain Lewis Gregory returned from injury and elected to bat first on a pitch expected to favor spin. However, Somerset lost Andy Umeed on the first ball of the match and Tom Lammonby soon after.Lewis Goldsworthy and Abell steadied the innings before Goldsworthy was caught behind for 38. Banton joined Abell and the pair added 50 off 86 balls before lunch.The partnership flourished in the afternoon, with Abell reaching his half-century off 92 balls and Banton following suit off 73 deliveries. Abell went on to score 124 before being dismissed by Parkinson, while Banton fell in the same fashion for 73.Somerset were 260 for 5 at tea, but Vaughan and Rew added 66 runs in quick time. Vaughan was dismissed for 30, but Rew continued to impress, reaching his fifty off 71 balls.He struck three boundaries in an over off Carse as Somerset finished the day on a high, with Kasey Aldridge contributing 12 to an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 67.

Somerset's relentless pursuit of a Vitality Blast quarter-final berth reached a crescendo as they demolished Hampshire by nine wickets at Utilita Bowl. The defending champions, buoyed by Tom Banton's blistering 79*, cruised to victory with 12 balls to spare, leaving Hampshire's three-year qualification streak in tatters.Banton, the tournament's leading run-scorer, unleashed his destructive power on the Hampshire bowlers, smashing an unbeaten 79 off just 52 deliveries. His partnerships of 81 with George Thomas and 77 with Tom Kohler-Cadmore rendered Hampshire's total of 157 for 7 a mere footnote.Somerset's dominance was evident from the outset, with Jack Leach and Migael Pretorius stifling Hampshire's batting. Pretorius, making his Somerset T20 debut, conceded only four runs off the bat in his first over and dismissed James Vince with a sensational delivery that clipped the top of off stump.Leach, despite his recent England Test snub, proved his class with a tidy 2 for 23, including the wicket of Ben McDermott. Hampshire's hopes rested on Tom Prest, who scored a valiant 51, but his dismissal triggered a collapse that saw Hampshire lose their last five wickets for just 29 runs.Somerset's chase was a masterclass in power-hitting. Banton and Thomas raced to 81 before Howell ended Thomas' innings. However, Kohler-Cadmore stepped up, smashing two fours and three sixes in his 43 not out to seal the victory.Banton's third fifty of the campaign propelled him past 400 runs for the season, highlighting his status as one of the most dangerous batsmen in the Vitality Blast. Somerset's victory puts them on the brink of qualification, with only Gloucestershire, who have one fixture remaining, able to deny them a knockout berth.

Somerset's Tom Abell orchestrated a remarkable run chase to guide his team to a thrilling five-wicket victory over Warwickshire in a captivating Vitality County Championship Division One encounter at Taunton.Chasing a daunting target of 410, Somerset's openers, Andy Umeed and Tom Kohler-Cadmore, provided a solid start. However, Umeed's dismissal for 30 triggered a mini-collapse, with Kohler-Cadmore (49) and Tom Lammonby (26) also falling.Undeterred, Abell and Tom Banton steadied the ship, forging a crucial 100-run partnership. Abell played with composure and determination, reaching his half-century off 92 balls. Banton, too, showed maturity, curbing his natural aggression to contribute 81.With the century stand broken, Somerset lost Banton and Migael Pretorius in quick succession. However, James Rew, who had struggled for form this season, stepped up with a crucial 57 not out.Abell, meanwhile, continued to anchor the innings, reaching his 150 off 207 balls. His chanceless knock included 14 fours and two sixes.As the tension mounted, Warwickshire delayed taking the new ball, hoping to make it harder for Somerset to score boundaries. However, Rew and Abell seized the opportunity, hitting a flurry of boundaries to seal the victory with 4.2 overs to spare.Somerset's triumph was their second-highest successful fourth innings run chase in their history. They earned 20 points from the game, moving up to second in the Division One table. Warwickshire, on the other hand, had to settle for seven points.

Somerset's Tom Banton and Tom Abell rescued their team from a precarious position on the second day of their Vitality County Championship Division One match against Warwickshire at Taunton.Trailing by 355 runs after Warwickshire's first innings total of 412, Somerset found themselves in trouble at 57 for three. However, Banton and Abell combined for a patient and resilient partnership of 139, giving Somerset a glimmer of hope.Banton, who faced 143 balls, struck 77 runs, including five fours and a six. Abell, who remained unbeaten on 61, played a more cautious role, providing stability to the innings.Warwickshire's bowlers struggled to make inroads on a pitch that offered little assistance. Oliver Hannon-Dalby eventually broke the partnership, dismissing Banton with a delivery that found the outside edge of his bat.Hannon-Dalby then struck twice more in quick succession, removing nightwatchmen Josh Davey and Jack Leach, to leave Somerset on 208 for six at stumps.Earlier, Warwickshire had extended their overnight score from 373 for eight to 412 all out. Michael Burgess, who resumed on 147, fell for 147, while Migael Pretorius added the wicket of Michael Booth to his four first-day victims to finish with figures of five for 104.Somerset now trail by 204 runs and will need to bat with determination and resilience on the third day to avoid the prospect of being asked to follow on.

Somerset's batting prowess was on full display as they amassed a formidable 440 for seven on the opening day of their Vitality County Championship First Division clash against Kent at Taunton. Aggressive centuries from Tom Banton and James Rew propelled the hosts to a commanding position.Banton, known for his exploits in limited-overs cricket, showcased his red-ball credentials with a career-best 133. His 174-ball knock was adorned with 19 fours and two sixes. Rew, who impressed last season, continued his fine form with a fluent 114 off 145 deliveries, including 12 fours and three sixes.The pair forged a formidable 205-run partnership for the fifth wicket, dominating the Kent bowlers for over 42 overs. Earlier, Tom Lammonby contributed a solid 69 as Somerset's openers made a promising start.Kent's seamers struggled to make an impact on a batting-friendly surface at the Cooper Associates County Ground. The visitors' only success before tea came when Lammonby was dismissed for 54, attempting to pull a boundary off Grant Stewart.Rew and Banton took control after lunch, adding 132 runs for the fourth wicket. Rew reached his half-century off just 61 balls, while Banton brought up his third fifty of the summer. The duo continued to punish the Kent attack, with Banton reaching his century off 150 balls.Rew followed suit, reaching his hundred with a boundary off Stewart. However, both batsmen fell shortly after, with Banton caught behind and Rew lbw to Joey Evison. Craig Overton contributed a quickfire 23, while Somerset skipper Lewis Gregory remained unbeaten on 26 at stumps.Somerset's impressive batting display has put them in a strong position heading into day two. Kent will need to find a way to break through the hosts' resilient batting lineup if they are to have any chance of getting back into the contest.