Shakib cameo works a treat for Surrey
Surrey’s decision to enlist Shakib Al Hasan on a one-match deal paid dividends late on day one in the top-two showdown at Taunton, the all-rounder striking three times in a late-order Somerset collapse that weakened foundations laid by Tom Banton’s brilliant century.
The veteran Bangladesh all‑rounder Shakib was given plenty of practice by the Championship leaders, sending down 33.5 overs and taking four for 97, leading the way for Surrey alongside the miserly Dan Worrall, who grabbed three wickets of his own.
The afternoon had hitherto belonged to Banton, who further demonstrated his development from short-form dazzler to red-ball performer with a sparkling 132, one short of his career best, that combined dash and daring – typified by two glorious reverse-sweeps in succession against Shakib – with orthodox style. Archie Vaughan, moved up to open in only his second first-class match, also impressed with some chip-off-the-old-block drives and pulls in his 44. His dad, Michael, would have approved.
At the bottom of Division One, Lancashire’s travails continued against Durham at Chester-le-Street where Ben Raine’s tricky seamers brought him four wickets as the visitors laboured to 177 for six, Matty Hurst’s 74 not out providing ballast. Their relegation rivals Nottinghamshire also toiled after a promising start against Essex, who recovered from 86 for four through a century partnership between Tom Westley, who struck his first century of the season, and Paul Walter.
Sussex’s charge to promotion from Division Two continued with their Indian left-arm seamer Jaydev Unadkat taking four wickets as Glamorgan were skittled cheaply at Hove. Dan Hughes hit a half century as Sussex cut the deficit to 65 for the loss of one wicket.
A career-best 91 from Jack Davies helped second-placed Middlesex to a promising position against Gloucestershire while it was the bowlers who filled their boots for their promotion rivals Yorkshire, who had Leicestershire three for four early on en route to dismissing their hosts for 98, Ben Coad leading the charge with five wickets. Yorkshire’s batters found the going tough initially too, but Jonathan Tattersall’s unbeaten 90 guided them to a hefty lead.
Close of play scores
Chester-le-street: Durham v Lancashire 177-6 (Chester-le-Street).
Chelmsford: Essex 262-5 v Nottinghamshire
Canterbury: Kent v Hampshire 213-7.
Taunton: Somerset 317 v Surrey
Worcester: Worcestershire 294-8 v Warwickshire
Division Two
Leicester: Leicestershire 98 v Yorkshire 263-8
Lord’s: Middlesex 377 v Gloucestershire
Northampton: Northants 219 v Derbyshire 65-1
Hove: Sussex 121-1 v Glamorgan 186
