Lammonby ton holds Somerset up as title slips away

Tom Lammonby made an unbeaten 103 to hold Somerset together on day two against Surrey at Taunton on 25 September.

Somerset closed on 222-3 at stumps — the end of the day's play — still 200 runs behind Surrey's 422. Surrey have four bonus points to Somerset's two in this Division One Rothesay County Championship match, which runs from 24 to 27 September BBC Sport.

Surrey had resumed on 327-4 overnight and pushed on to a strong total. Dan Lawrence made 139, the backbone of the innings, while Sam Thomas finished unbeaten on 35. Left-arm spinner Jack Leach did most of the containing for Somerset and finished with 4-91.

Somerset needed a steady reply. They got it from Lammonby, who faced 217 balls for his hundred and stayed there at the close. Captain Tom Abell was with him on 63 not out, and the pair will resume together on day three.

There were two personal landmarks in that stand. It was Lammonby's first County Championship century of the summer after six half-centuries. Abell, meanwhile, became only the third batter to pass 1,000 runs in Division One this season.

The wider picture is less happy for the home crowd. Somerset came into this final round chasing a first-ever County Championship title. That dream now looks over, with Warwickshire on course for at least the draw they need against Leicestershire to take the crown.

Both sides also had to reshuffle. Surrey leg-spinner Rahul Chahar withdrew with a back problem and was replaced by Ralphie Albert as an injury replacement. Then Lawrence left the county match after England called him up to replace the injured Jos Buttler for the deciding one-day international against Sri Lanka at The Oval, with Nik Gorantla stepping in.

What makes this stand out is the character of Lammonby's innings. He had kept getting starts all summer. This time he went on. For fans, this means two days left with pride, points and places to play for, even if the biggest prize is slipping away.