Somerset absolutely scorched Surrey for a monumental 691-8, their highest ever total against them, all thanks to career-best double centuries from Tom Abell and Tom Lammonby. On day three of the Rothesay County Championship Division One match in Taunton, these two didn’t just play; they went off. They set a new club record for the fourth wicket with a monstrous 334-run stand, an explosion that leaves Surrey reeling, now trailing by a staggering 269 runs with Somerset still having two wickets remaining.
Abell and Lammonby Rewriting the Record Books
What Abell and Lammonby did was honestly incredible. Lammonby, unbeaten on 103 overnight, blasted his way to a maiden double century, eventually dismissed for an unbelievable 229 runs off 359 balls, smashing 28 fours and four huge sixes. That wasn’t just a big score; it was a career best, crushing his previous first-class high of 133. Tom Abell, starting his innings on 63, finished unbeaten with an even more astonishing 284 from 385 deliveries, hammering 29 fours and seven maximums. This wasn’t just his maiden double hundred; it was his fourth Championship hundred of the summer, crowning a prolific season and the best form of his career. Their 334-run partnership for the fourth wicket blew past Somerset’s previous record of 313, set by Abell himself with James Rew last season.
Shoddy Fielding Fuels Relentless Somerset Attack
Surrey came into this match already hurting, their bowling attack depleted with spinner Rahul Chahar out due to a back problem and Dan Lawrence called up for England duty. But they didn’t do themselves any favors once play started; the fielding was just plain shoddy. Lammonby, sitting on 106, got a massive reprieve when Rory Burns fumbled a slip catch off Ralphie Albert. Then, Abell got his own life at 87 runs, Adam Thomas spilling a straightforward chance at short cover off Mahipal Lomror. You just can’t give chances like that to guys having career days.
Even after Lammonby fell, the torment for Surrey kept coming. Migael Pretorius stepped up, joining Abell to put together a devastating 150-stand for the ninth wicket off just 105 balls. Pretorius was on full-out attack, hitting a rapid 52-ball fifty, while Abell, not content with his record double, unleashed four successive sixes off Albert. Mahipal Lomror did manage to pick up four wickets, but by then Somerset was well past 500 and 89 runs in front, leaving Surrey with a mountain to climb.
Look, the day’s action even confirmed Somerset as runners-up for the seventh time this century, whatever happens in this specific game. They might not have won the title yet, but what they showed against Surrey on day three was pure, unadulterated dominance. Surrey’s got to dig deep on day four and find a way to stop the bleeding. Somerset leads by 269, with two wickets in hand, and they’re looking to push that lead even further. Can Surrey even mount a response, or will Somerset keep the foot on the gas?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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