Surrey left counting their blessings

Cricket: Somerset 463 Surrey 209-8

The rain which allowed only 69 minutes play here was a mixed blessing. Surrey, who with two first-innings wickets left still need 105 to avoid the follow-on, will have been well pleased while Somerset are now going to struggle to win a match which was theirs for the taking and will have been less than enchanted.

A start was not made until six minutes past 12 and in the remaining time before lunch Ian Salisbury showed that he is a competent enough batsman, defending surely and picking up runs where he could.

He is a more than useful acquisition for Surrey if only he can build up the confidence to make the most of his ability. Surrey's batsmen should score enough runs to make him more prepared to attack the batsman with flight and spin.

The wicket to fall was that of Martin Bicknell, who tried to flick a ball from Andy Caddick to fine leg and was out to an outstanding diving left-handed catch by the wicketkeeper Rob Turner. It began to rain during the lunch interval.

Surrey will be hoping, in spite of the forecast, that the weather changes for all the proposed frolics which have been arranged for tomorrow's Sunday League game.

On Sundays Surrey will be known as the Surrey Lions. Each batsman will be accompanied to the crease by his chosen piece of music; there will be a larger than life Lion mascot; a painter and a clown for the children; and the team theme song will frequently echo round the ground and doubtless Sir Jack Hobbs will turn in his grave.