Burns and Davies star on Day 3

Superb centuries from Rory Burns and Steven Davies have saved Surrey from a likely defeat on Day 3 of the County Championship game against Somerset at the Oval.

A terrific 159 run partnership between Burns (115) and Davies (140) dominated the day’s play, as the Somerset bowlers were left frustrated after their good work last night.

Resuming on 98-4, trailing by 286 runs, the first session went just as Surrey would have wanted. Davies and Burns started watchfully, with the latter bringing up his half century 20 minutes into the day, from a patient 151 balls. They began to look more comfortable as the session went on, with the pitch still looking good to bat on, as Davies also went to his half century. And 10 minutes before the lunch interval, Burns brought up his century from 237 balls with a whip through midwicket off the part time spin of Alviro Petersen, ending a superb session in which Surrey went in on 213-4.

The pair continued to shorten the Somerset lead in the afternoon session, but the partnership was broken when Burns was strangled down the leg side by Steve Kirby on 115. A fantastic knock from Burns, really showing his class and maturity when most needed. The loss of Burns didn’t deter Davies however, as he moved to a serene century with a single off George Dockrell. It was his first century since last May, which was against Somerset, and I am so happy for him, after he struggled badly last season with a variety of off-field issues. Gary Wilson was his partner, but he could only make 17 before edging behind off Thomas just before tea, to open up an end for Somerset.

However, Gareth Batty steadied the ship with Davies, and took Surrey towards Somerset’s total in the closing stages of the day, scoring 36 before Overton ended the 71 partnership, with Surrey trailing by just 29. Meaker fell for 0, before Davies was eventually caught for 147 off 269 balls, with Surrey declaring on 366-9, trailing by 18, giving Somerset two overs to bat tonight, in which Trescothick and Compton contemplated well to finish on 6-0.

So, overall, I think that we should be very happy with today’s proceedings, considering where we were last night. Burns did just what we needed someone to do, just bat time in the middle, and is growing into a great little player. The partnership with Davies was so vital, because if we lost a wicket early on and were 100-5, then it would have been difficult to even enforce the follow on, let alone get within 18 off Somerset’s score. Davies looked back to his best, which is fantastic to see, as he is such an important player in our middle order.

Unless something dramatic happens, this game will end in a draw. If I was Smith, I would have considered pulling the plug earlier, and try and nip a couple out. But that wasn’t to be, so we will just have to settle for the 8 points, which looked a way off after yesterday’s play.