Abell and Lammonby smash records as Somerset pile up 691-8 against Surrey

Somerset captain Tom Abell closed day three unbeaten on 284 as Somerset reached 691-8 against Surrey at Taunton and moved 269 runs ahead. It was already the club’s highest total against Surrey in the County Championship Division One match, with two wickets still in hand, according to BBC Sport.

Surrey had made 422 in their first innings. By the end of 26 September, that score looked a long way off. Somerset started the day on 222-3 and simply kept batting.

Abell resumed on 63. He finished on 284 not out, which in cricket means he was still batting when play stopped, from 385 balls with 29 fours and seven sixes. It was a career-best score.

He was matched for much of the day by Tom Lammonby. The opener resumed on 103 not out overnight and went on to make 229 from 359 balls, with 28 fours and four sixes. That was also a career-best.

The pair added 334 for the fourth wicket. A partnership counts the runs scored while two batters are together, and the fourth wicket means three wickets had already fallen. Their stand set a new Somerset record for that wicket.

The old mark had not lasted long. Abell and James Rew put on 313 for the fourth wicket against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge last season.

Surrey had done much of the early running in this game. Dan Lawrence made 139, Dom Sibley hit 72 and Ben Foakes added 64 in their 422. For Somerset, left-arm spinner Jack Leach took 4-91 and Lewis Gregory took 3-85.

Surrey then spent almost two full days in the field. Mahipal Lomror was their most successful bowler with 4-196, but Somerset kept finding ways to accelerate.

The late charge came from Abell and Migael Pretorius. They put on 150 for the ninth wicket from only 105 balls, with Pretorius unbeaten on 72 at the close. Short, fast scoring late in an innings often sets up a push for victory on the final day.

What makes this stand out is the context around the runs. Somerset have never won the County Championship. They have already been confirmed as runners-up for the seventh time this century, whatever happens against Surrey.

For fans, this means the last day is about pride and history rather than the title race. Somerset can press for a win from a huge lead. Surrey must bat long to save the game.