Surrey 380 (Burns 107, Elgar 103) and 255 for 8 (Burns 78, Jacks 54) drew with Somerset 398 (Gregory 129*, Hildreth 90)

Rain ruined the prospect of an exciting finish to the County Championship match between Somerset and Surrey at Taunton, which ended tamely in a draw.

Only six overs were possible in the morning session before the umpires announced an early lunch. Surrey, who had begun the day on 152 for 5 in their second innings, leading by 134, progressed to 187 without losing a wicket.

Play did not resume until 2.15pm because of a wet outfield. Will Jacks reached a half-century but was out for 54. Somerset also dismissed Morne Morkel for 27 and Dean Elgar on 17 to leave Surrey at 247 for 8 by tea.

A total of 34 overs had been lost to the weather and only 33 remained to be bowled. Surrey were 229 runs ahead and the outcome certain before bad light, despite the new floodlights at the County Ground being on, interrupted the final session at 4.15pm. After 15 minutes, the players took the field again, only to shake hands two overs later with the visitors on 255 for 8, leading by 237.

Somerset took 11 points from the game, having won their opening two Championship matches, while title-holders Surrey claimed 12 points.

The first period of play saw nightwatchman Morkel, on nine, dropped by James Hildreth at first slip off Lewis Gregory with the total on 175.

Somerset could not afford such errors as Jacks, who had shown excellent temperament the previous day, progressed from his overnight 31 to a half-century off 84 balls.

Play ceased at 11.25am. On the resumption, Morkel, who had done his job, skied Jack Leach to long-on where Craig Overton took the catch.

For a short while it looked as though England left-arm spinner Leach might go through the Surrey tail, but the only real turn was out of the rough.

Jacks' impressive innings ended when Overton pinned him lbw with the total on 204 the over after Morkel had been dismissed.

Elgar, batting despite suffering from kidney stones, helped take the score to 235 before nicking a Tim Groenewald outswinger through to wicketkeeper Steve Davies.

At 247 for 8, Somerset took the second new ball, but by then any chance they had of forcing a win had long gone.

Rikki Clarke and Gareth Batty were soon facing the occasional leg-spin of Azhar Ali and medium pace of Somerset skipper Tom Abell as an excellent game reached a disappointing conclusion.

Jacks said it was a "frustrating way for the game to end".

"We felt that we could get a big enough total on the board to exert some pressure," Jacks said. "I have been short of a few runs recently, so it was nice to contribute a decent score.

"It was tough batting last night, but having Rory Burns at the other end playing brilliantly was a big help to me. In the end we have come out of a decent performance with 12 points and can move on with confidence."

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