LONDON, May 25: Andy Caddick brushed off an unimpressive performance in England’s first Test draw with Sri Lanka and claimed five wickets on his return to County Championship cricket as Somerset took charge against Surrey at The Oval on Friday.

Caddick took five for 66 as the visitors seized the initiative in the battle between the only two unbeaten sides in the First Division.

Ian Ward was the only home batsman to put up much resistance hitting 62 as his side were bowled out for 220 on a rain-curtailed day and Somerset were 10 without loss at the close.

Surrey got off to the worst of starts when England batsman Mark Butcher walked after the third ball of the day and out of favour England hitman Mark Ramprakash to the eighth.

Close of play scores on the first day on Friday:

Division one

At The Oval: Surrey 220 all out (I.Ward 62; A.Caddick 5-66, M.Bulbeck 4-60). Somerset 10-0.

At Horsham: Leicestershire 257-7 (V.Wells 85 not out, D.Stevens 50: R.Martin-Jenkins 4-49) v Sussex.

At Headingley: Hampshire 273-7 (J.Crawley 79, W.Kendall 67) v Yorkshire

Division two

At Chester-le-Street: Durham 238-3 (M.Love 78, G.Pratt 66) v Gloucestershire

At Trent Bridge: Northamptonshire 249-9 (T.Penberthy 83 not out) v Nottinghamshire

Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy (50-over-a-side third round matches) results:

At Chelmsford: Essex beat Middlesex by five wickets. Middlesex 291-5 in 50 overs (S.Koenig 116, P.Weekes 76 not out). Essex 295-5 in 48.1 overs (N.Hussain 96, R.Irani 86 not out).

At Old Trafford: Lancashire beat Derbyshire by 10 wickets. Derbyshire 167 all out in 46.2 overs (D.Hewson 63). Lancashire 169-0 in 28.1 overs (G.Chapple 81 not out, M.Chilton 76 not out).

—AFP/Reuters

Opinion

Editorial

Pressure politics
27 May, 2026

Pressure politics

THE Abraham Accords were presented as a historic peace initiative in the Middle East. In reality, they were...
Eid’s true spirit
Updated 27 May, 2026

Eid’s true spirit

Pakistan celebrates Eid while grappling with economic strain that continues to weigh heavily on ordinary households.
Cotton crisis
27 May, 2026

Cotton crisis

PAKISTAN’S declining cotton economy is rapidly turning into a case study in policy contradiction. Amid endless...
Balochistan tragedy
Updated 26 May, 2026

Balochistan tragedy

The state keeps reiterating the role of hostile foreign actors in fomenting unrest, yet seems to be short on ideas on how to prevent the ingress of such actors and their ideologies in Baloch society.
Economic engagement
26 May, 2026

Economic engagement

AN array of investment MoUs valued at $7bn signed during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s China visit signifies...
Flotilla abuse
26 May, 2026

Flotilla abuse

THE testimonies that have emerged from international activists, who were part of a Gaza-bound flotilla, paint a...