Somerset Chase Second Place in 136-Year Drought
Somerset face Surrey in Taunton for a shot at their first County Championship title in 136 years.
Key points
- Somerset play Surrey at Taunton to finish second again in the County Championship.
- Warwickshire lead the table by 11 points ahead of Leicestershire at Edgbaston.
- Somerset have been runners-up six times this century, including in 2016, 2018, and 2019.
Somerset take on Surrey at Taunton this week. The match marks their latest attempt to end a 136-year wait for a County Championship title. The season’s final round concludes under a warm, dry forecast.
Warwickshire sit 11 points clear at the top of the table. They host Leicestershire at Edgbaston. Nottinghamshire, the defending champions, face Yorkshire at Trent Bridge. These fixtures close out a six-month domestic campaign.
A six-month domestic slog
The championship spans spring, summer, and autumn. It is often dismissed as sporting Victoriana. Yet it remains some of the hardest cricket played in England. The final round lands in late September. It must compete with national team series for attention.
Only cricket schedules a premier domestic finale so late. The Hundred and other formats have reshaped the calendar. Still, the county game holds a devoted following. Fans follow scorecards, streams, and local radio broadcasts. The intensity of the competition remains undiminished.
A 136-year hoodoo
Somerset have finished as runners-up six times this century. They placed second in 2016, 2018, and 2019. They finished third in 2024 and 2025. The drought is one of the oldest in sport. It weighs heavily on the club and its supporters.
The 2010 season is remembered as the worst. Somerset led by six points on the final day. They needed eight wickets and the remaining runs. Dale Benkenstein batted through the afternoon. They were left chasing 188 in 17 overs. Nottinghamshire drew level with 38 minutes left and won on a tie-break.
Personal stakes in Taunton
Tom Banton, 27, once prioritized the County Championship. He later quit red-ball cricket this summer. For Taunton, a match-winning hundred carries more weight than international scores. The city also supports football and rugby union teams.
Guardian Sport notes the deep local connection. The writer began his career at Taunton. He watched Ian Blackwell bat while working for the Somerset Guardian. The pain of the 136-year wait is personal. It is a defining narrative of English county cricket.
