Gregory anchors Somerset's resistance after Clark's breakthrough spell

Somerset battled back to shade a gripping opening day against Surrey’s formidable seam attack at the Kia Oval.

Tom Lammonby top-scored with 76, but Somerset slumped from 146 for 2 to 187 for 7 before captain Lewis Gregory inspired a late recovery. Gregory hit 62 as he helped add 96 runs for the final three wickets. He eventually fell in the final over, caught in the deep, as Somerset were bowled out for 283. Jordan Clark was the pick of Surrey’s bowlers, finishing with outstanding figures of 5 for 68.

Early on, boundaries were hard to come by thanks to Surrey’s relentless consistency. Before Gregory and Josh Davey’s eighth-wicket stand of 62, Somerset had hit just 12 fours, 11 of which came during a crucial 98-run partnership between Lammonby and Archie Vaughan, who impressed with a composed 36.

As is often the case at The Oval, a grassy pitch encouraged Surrey to bowl first after winning the toss—for the 18th consecutive time in a first-class or Test match there.

Somerset’s top order had struggled in recent matches, having slumped to 79 for 7 against Sussex and 96 for 7 against Hampshire. They looked set for similar trouble before Lammonby and Vaughan steadied the ship after Sean Dickson had to retire hurt, struck on the right hand by Gus Atkinson’s sharp delivery.

The early overs saw the bat often beaten, with Atkinson and Dan Worrall delivering high-class new-ball spells. Vaughan survived a scare on 17 when Dan Lawrence dropped a straightforward chance at third slip off Worrall.

Clark initially leaked runs, conceding 22 in his first three overs, but he bounced back brilliantly, finishing with 5 for 46 across his next 21.1 overs in a tireless display.

Surrey's persistence paid off shortly after lunch when Vaughan was dismissed by a fine delivery from Atkinson. Worrall followed up by removing Tom Abell, and although Lammonby and Tom Banton fought hard in a 48-run stand, the wickets continued to fall.

Clark returned to dismiss Banton and then Lammonby, who was bowled moving across his stumps after a patient 173-ball knock. Atkinson’s pace accounted for James Rew, while Clark struck twice in two balls after tea, bowling Kasey Aldridge and Migael Pretorious.

With Somerset teetering, Gregory and Davey launched a counterattack as Surrey’s bowlers finally showed signs of fatigue. Clark, ever reliable, returned to trap Davey lbw and Foakes added to the highlights by completing his 500th first-class dismissal, brilliantly catching Jack Leach down the leg side.

Gregory, who struck three sixes and five fours, added 33 more with the returning Dickson before eventually falling, capping off a day where Somerset’s resilience just kept them in front.

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