The second day at The Oval finished with the game between Somerset and Surrey finely balanced, with the 2000 County Champions 54 runs ahead with 7 second innings wickets remaining.

Resuming on their overnight score of 10 without loss Somerset had slipped to 68 for 4 which then became 111 for 5. They seemed to be in danger of falling short of Surrey's first innings score of 220, but were rescued by a 6th wicket partnership of 106 between Ian Blackwell and Rob Turner.

Once again it was Ian Blackwell who was the dominant force, and he was unlucky not to record his second championship hundred of the season, falling just two runs short when he was out LBW to Ian Salisbury. In all Blackie faced 112 balls and hit 15x4's.

When Surrey batted for a second time Andy Caddick dismissed Mark Butcher with the score on 26,shortly afterwards Mark Ramprakash was run out, and just before the close of play Ian Blackwell struck another blow for the Cidermen when he accounted for Graham Thorpe.

After the close of play Somerset coach Kevin Shine told me: "This is turning out to be a very good game. We bowled and fielded well when they batted this evening and the first session in the morning will be absolutely crucial, we need to take wickets."

He continued: "They are a very good side, Tudor and Bicknell bowled well for them, but Ian Blackwell's knock was brilliant. It was one of his more restrained innings but it was fantastic."

© SOMERSET