Somerset on top against Surrey

Somerset gradually turned the screw on Surrey on the third day at Taunton, building a lead of 360 by the close, with five wickets still in hand.

Richard Johnson swung the ball in the opening session to return 5-62 as the visitors were bowled out for 278 - a deficit of 95 - having begun the day on 224-6.

Then Mike Burns (70), Jamie Cox (46) and Peter Bowler (34) batted soundly to take Somerset's second innnings to 265-5, despite a good post-lunch spell from Martin Bicknell, who bowled with no luck and beat the outside edge several times.

As on the first two days, the humid conditions encouraged the ball to move around in the air. Johnson capitalised in the morning by removing Ben Hollioake (56) and Bicknell (34), both to diving catches by wicketkeeper Rob Turner, who equaled a Somerset record by catching six victims in the innings.

Steffan Jones wrapped up the Surrey innings by dismissing Ian Salisbury and Saqlain Mushtaq, taking his first class wicket tally for the season to 50 in the process.

Somerset began their second innings looking to bat Surrey out of the game. Matt Wood fell early, but Cox and Burns then put together a watchful stand of 75 for the second wicket.

Burns reached his half-century of 138 balls, with 5 fours, also receiving good support from Bowler in a third-wicket partnership of 77.

By the time Saqlain removed Burns and Bicknell sent back Bowler for an overdue success Surrey were looking at the prospect of a formidable last-day target, something Mark Lathwell (27) and Ian Blackwell (36 not out) assured.