Blackwell stars as Somerset take six bonus points

Ian Blackwell played the starring role for Somerset as they boosted their bid for Championship runners-up spot with six bonus points on the second day at Taunton.

First Blackwell helped turn an overnight score of 207-6 into 373 all out by scoring a superb 120, off 202 balls, with 19 fours and a six.

Then in his first over of left-arm spin he had Mike Carberry caught at slip by Peter Bowler for 34 to leave Surrey 94-2 in reply.

Ian Ward had already fallen for a brisk 48, well caught by Keith Dutch at second slip off Jamie Grove. After tea Richard Johnson took 3-7 in the space of four overs to have the visitors struggling at 155-5.

Ben Hollioake then batted soundly, hitting a half-century off 62 balls, with 9 fours, to guide Surrey to their initial target of 224, the score necessary to avoid following-on.

He received good support from Martin Bicknell in an unbroken stand of 37, which took the total to 224-6 off 55 overs at the close.

Earlier, Blackwell and Grove had frustrated Surrey with a last wicket partnership of 107, despite the efforts of Saqlain Mushtaq, who varied his pace and flight to return 6-107 from 42.4 overs.

Blackwell showed a mixture of sound defence and sweetly timed attacking strokes to collect his fourth Championship ton of the season.

It was a mature innings lasting just over four hours from the 23-year-old former Derbyshire player, who is pressing hard for a one-day international call-up.