Somerset finished the day well to combat two sparkling innings from Scott Newman and James Benning as Surrey end on 280 for seven at the close of day one at Whitgift.

Somerset captain Justin Langer won the toss and asked Surrey to bat first. Newman and debutant Matthew Spriegel started solidly for the home team with the latter looking particularly comfortable in the familiar surroundings of his school pitch. Both players combated favourable bowling conditions by seizing on anything that was over pitched. The score was 37 when Spriegel was caught at slip for 22.

Mark Ramprakash and Newman put on 59 for the second wicket with Surrey’s left handed opener starting to find some form. He played some typically dominant front foot shots whilst Ramprakash patiently waited for the bad ball. With the lunch break approaching Somerset struck, taking the important wicket of Surrey’s number three to leave the home team 98 for two at the interval.

Surrey lost another two quick wickets upon resumption with Mark Butcher the first to go and Usman Afzaal quickly following with the score 112 for four. Newman went to his half century and continued to play nicely whilst finding some solid support from wicket keeper batsman Jonathan Batty.

When Surrey lost their opener for a well made 84 the scoreboard did not make for happy reading at 140 for five. However Benning came to the crease and quickly got things moving for his side. With some blistering stroke play the powerful right handed batsman raced his way to a quick fire half century, smashing ten boundaries and in the process taking Surrey to 200.

The pair started again after the tea interval with Batty playing quietly, giving Benning the strike and at this point Surrey were on top. A good period for Somerset where Ian Blackwell operated with his left arm spin meant that the scoring rate dried up. Benning tried an expansive shot, coming down the pitch only to be stumped for 69.

Surrey’s in form overseas player, Matthew Nicholson, came to the crease to replace Benning and struck the ball nicely from the start. He and Batty, who continued to make steady progress, took Surrey past 250 and in doing so started to rebuild the innings.

Batty was solid all the way through the final session and it seemed that Surrey would close with the sixth wicket partnership still intact. However as per the trend of the day, Somerset struck at the right time to hit the home team hard. Nicholson had made his way to 36 but with only a short while left in the day he was caught off the bowling of Charl Willoughby. Batty added just one more run to the total before the play was called for close, with Surrey 280 for seven.

To see highlights of the day's play on Surrey TV, click here.

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