'We showed a lot of resistance' says Jason Kerr after Surrey draw

SOMERSET CCC have moved to fourth place in the County Championship Division One after their draw against Surrey at The Oval this week.

The hosts looked set to snatch a win on the final day however some quality bowling after some inspired Somerset batting saw the visitors take 11 points in the draw.

Speaking after the match, Somerset head coach Jason Kerr said: “Apart from about 40 minutes on day one we have been outstanding in this game. We showed a lot of resilience."

"We were close to shutting the game down but then we gave them a bit of a sniff. But Lewis Gregory and Kasey Aldridge bowled really well and I thought a draw was a fair result over four days."

He also added that he was particularly impressed with all-rounder Kasey Aldridge in this match.

“Kasey has been outstanding today with his bowling and batting today. He showed a lot of maturity under immense pressure. He’s grown as a cricketer already this season," he said.

Aldridge took 5 for 65 in the first innings, followed by a crucial 42 runs in the second innings and a further three wickets to help his side to the draw.

He said: “No one is a harsher critic than me. I felt that my bowling wasn’t up to scratch last season.

"I had the opportunity to train outdoors in the winter and I also worked a lot with (Somerset coach) Jason Kerr and for it to come off today is great.

“You have to keep hitting the deck hard with the Kookaburra because it gets softer quicker than the Dukes and try to make something happen."

There were some stand out displays with the bat as well in the match, starting with Tom Lammonby's century in the first innings and a half century in the second.

Matt Renshaw scored 87 opening the bat in the first innings, while skipper Lewis Gregory scored 50 and 82 in respective knocks. And Lewis Goldsworthy and Craig Overton both notched up half century's in Somerset's fight back.

Somerset batting coach Shane Burger praised the batters after the match saying it was truly outstanding.

“It’s a pitch where if you bowl well you can get rewarded and if you bat well, as Tom Lammonby and Matt Renshaw showed, you can also certainly get runs.

“The way those two batted today was truly outstanding and credit too to the way Lewis Gregory made his 50 at the end."

Looking ahead, Somerset now have their first home match of the season, starting on Friday, April 19 against Nottinghamshire.