Somerset safely saw themselves past the follow on total of 459 at the County Ground earlier today before being all out just 54 runs behind the Surrey total.

Resuming on 304 for 3, the overnight batsmen Mike Burns and Keith Parsons took the score on to 378, before they were parted. Parsons was out for 47, whilst Burns was out LBW to Ricky Clarke just one run short of what would have been a thoroughly deserved century.

Mr Reliable, Rob Turner was at the wicket when the follow on total of 459 was passed, and brought up the 500 in the 121st over. Rob was still there unbeaten on 56 when Somerset were all out for 554, just before tea time.

By close of play Surrey had reached 96 without loss from 33 overs to put them exactly 150 ahead of their hosts. With just one day remaining the game looks set to end as a draw from which the Cidermen would gain a valuable 11 points.

At the end of the day Somerset coach Kevin Shine told me: " It has been a very good fighting day for us. I was very impressed with the way that we batted earlier, Mike Burns hit a fabulous 99, and had good support from Keith Parsons, and then Rob's unbeaten 56 at the end. Everybody batted well, and it was a great effort to get within fifty of their total. Then we kept it tight at the end to restrict their lead over us."

The coach continued: "Scoreboard pressure can be difficult to handle, but the boys have set about it in a professional and clinical way today, and I have been very impressed with them all."

I asked the coach what he thought would happen tomorrow. He told me: "Realistically I'll be surprised if they set us a target to chase tomorrow,after all we only batted for five minutes less than they did and got to within 54 runs of their total. The most likely outcome is a draw from which we would get eleven points."

© SOMERSET