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[Watch] Somerset Stuns Surrey With Dramatic Late Collapse In County Championship

Somerset beat Surrey to keep title hopes alive (X)Somerset beat Surrey to keep title hopes alive (X)

In a match that can only be described as a rollercoaster of emotions, Somerset kept their County Championship title dreams alive with a breathtaking 111-run victory over Division One leaders Surrey at Taunton. It was a contest that had everything – drama, grit, and a collapse that left cricket fans on the edge of their seats.

With the pitch turning square, Surrey were chasing a modest target of 221 to win. But what followed was a cataclysmic batting collapse as they crumbled to 111 all out, losing seven wickets for just 14 runs in the dying moments of the game.

Vaughan And Leach Spin A Web Around Surrey

The hero of the hour? 18-year-old spinner Archie Vaughan, son of former England captain, Michael Vaughan who produced a spell for the ages, claiming 5-38 and match figures of 11-140. Jack Leach, Somerset's seasoned left-arm spinner, was equally lethal, snaring 5-37, as Surrey's title charge hit a massive speed bump.

Somerset’s victory wasn’t just dramatic – it was a masterclass in perseverance. With the clock ticking down and less than five minutes left in the day, the hosts pulled off what seemed improbable, closing the gap at the top of the table to just eight points with two matches to play.

Surrey, sitting pretty at 63-3, with Dom Sibley (56) and Ben Foakes (20) looking solid, had all but secured a draw. But cricket, as they say, is a game of glorious uncertainties, and Somerset made sure to throw a spanner in the works. 

The partnership between Sibley and Foakes lasted a resolute 49 over 29 overs, but once Jack Leach and Vaughan began weaving their magic, Surrey’s hopes were dashed.


Foakes was the first to go, nicking Leach to first slip, where Lewis Gregory made no mistake. And when Sibley followed suit in the next over, edging Leach once more, the floodgates opened. Surrey, from a seemingly stable position, collapsed like a house of cards. Panic spread in the ranks, and Somerset’s bowlers smelled blood.

Shakib Al Hasan was sent packing for a duck, Vaughan snaring his ninth wicket of the match. Tom Curran (5) tried to cut his way out of trouble but only managed an inside edge onto his stumps, giving Vaughan his 10th scalp of the match – a massive achievement for the teenage spinner.

Cameron Steel didn’t last long either, falling for a duck as Vaughan trapped him lbw, leaving Surrey teetering at 91-8. Jordan Clark and Kemar Roach, however, provided a glimmer of resistance, blocking and defending for dear life as overs slipped away. But just when it seemed Surrey might escape with a draw, Vaughan struck again, bowling Clark for a 47-ball duck.

Somerset keeps title race alive with stunning victory

When last man Dan Worrall walked out, the writing was on the wall. With close fielders breathing down his neck, he lasted just two deliveries before Leach pinned him lbw, triggering jubilant Somerset celebrations.

Somerset’s 21 points from the game, compared to Surrey’s five, have thrown the title race wide open. With just two games remaining, the West Country side have everything to play for, and on this evidence, they won’t go down without a fight.