Cricket

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.

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.

Tom Curran, the third-highest wicket-taker among overseas bowlers in the Big Bash League (BBL), has signed a two-year pre-draft deal with the Melbourne Stars for the 2024-25 season. The move comes after a tumultuous season with the Sydney Sixers, where he was suspended for intimidating an umpire.Despite taking 3 for 19 in the game where he was suspended, Curran only appeared in two more matches before a knee injury ended his campaign. The Sixers have since reassessed their overseas options, with a spinner reportedly high on their list.However, Curran believes he left the Sixers on good terms. "I don't feel like it was an issue with the Sixers," he said. "We fought the case together and they backed me."Curran is currently playing for the Oval Invincibles in the Hundred, having recovered from a broken forearm. The injury was a reminder of the dangers bowlers face, particularly in T20 cricket."It was nasty," he said. "It could have been so much worse if it had got me in the face."Curran has previously fought back from two stress fractures of the back and has opted to step away from red-ball cricket. While he is not consumed by the prospect of an England recall, he is confident he could make a success of it."I feel like I'm a better all-round player than I was then," he said. "I know my value now."

Oval Invincibles, the defending champions of The Hundred, secured a crucial victory over Southern Brave, the league leaders, in a top-of-the-table clash at The Kia Oval. The six-wicket triumph marked a significant scalp for the Invincibles in their quest to retain their title.Tom Curran, the elder brother of Sam Curran, played a pivotal role in restricting Southern Brave to a modest total of 118 for eight. His four-wicket haul, coupled with two wickets from Sam Curran, stifled the Brave's batting lineup. James Vince, with a valiant 52 from 39 balls, was the lone bright spot for the visitors.The Invincibles' chase got off to a peculiar start, with Dawid Malan facing 10 consecutive dot balls and Chris Jordan conceding no runs from his first 11 deliveries. However, Jordan Cox, England's latest Test call-up, and Sam Curran broke the shackles with a 58-run partnership from 27 balls. Cox remained unbeaten on 46 from 29 balls, guiding the Invincibles to victory with 15 balls to spare.Sam Curran, who has been instrumental in the Invincibles' recent run of five wins in six games, was named the Meerkat Match Hero for the third consecutive time. He praised the team's collective effort, particularly the bowling partnership with his brother Tom."We have complemented each other really well with the ball this season," said Sam Curran. "We knew we had to win this to give us the best chance of going straight through to Lord's (and reach the final)."The victory strengthens the Invincibles' position in the standings, moving them a step closer to securing a place in the knockout stages. Southern Brave, despite the setback, remain atop the table but face a stern test in their remaining fixtures.

Tom Curran, the dynamic English all-rounder, has inked a two-year deal with the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League (BBL). This commitment ensures his presence for the entire duration of the tournament, marking a significant acquisition for the Stars.Curran's previous BBL experience includes four seasons with the Sydney Sixers. However, his 2023-24 campaign was marred by controversy when he received a four-match suspension for intimidating an umpire. A subsequent knee injury prematurely ended his tournament.Despite these setbacks, Curran's impressive BBL record remains intact. In 36 matches, he has claimed 51 wickets at an exceptional average of 19.76 and an economical rate of 8.25. His batting prowess is equally noteworthy, with 359 runs scored at a blistering strike rate of 143.60.Curran's signing falls under the BBL's new multi-year contract option, which allows clubs to secure one overseas player before the draft. Players joining under this agreement are obligated to remain for the entire tournament, including finals, from the 2025-26 season onwards. Curran, however, will adhere to this requirement for both years of his contract.Sam Billings holds the distinction of being the first player to sign a multi-year deal in the BBL, having joined the Sydney Thunder. Curran expressed his excitement about joining the Stars, particularly the prospect of playing at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). He emphasized his desire to make a meaningful impact and contribute to the team's success.In an interview with the Stars, Curran revealed that Glenn Maxwell played a pivotal role in his decision to join the club. The pair had previously shared a dressing room at Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Curran also praised the coaching expertise of Peter Moores, who will lead the Stars in the upcoming season.With Maxwell stepping down as captain, the Stars are in search of a new leader. Marcus Stoinis has expressed his interest in the role. The Stars hold the first pick in the overseas draft, scheduled for early September, which will further bolster their squad.

Surrey's Tom Curran emerged as the hero in both departments, leading his team to a thrilling five-wicket victory over Hampshire Hawks in the Vitality Blast Off.Curran's all-round brilliance began with the ball, where he claimed three crucial wickets for 32 runs. His pace and accuracy proved too much for Hampshire's top order, restricting them to a modest 162 for 9.However, it was with the bat that Curran truly shone. Coming in with Surrey needing 63 runs from 38 balls, he unleashed a blistering 37 off 20 deliveries. His two towering sixes and aggressive strokeplay propelled Surrey to victory with four balls to spare.Hampshire's innings was anchored by Joe Weatherley and Toby Albert, who shared a 62-run partnership. Albert, who had tormented Surrey in the Vitality County Championship, once again proved his worth with a quickfire 46.Surrey's chase got off to a shaky start, losing three key batters early on. However, Jason Roy and Jamie Smith steadied the ship with a 33-run partnership. Curran's arrival at the crease proved to be the turning point, as he dominated the Hampshire bowlers with his aggressive batting.In the end, Surrey's victory was a testament to Curran's all-round abilities and the team's resilience. After suffering a heavy defeat in the Vitality County Championship, they bounced back with a vengeance to open their Vitality Blast campaign on a positive note.