Ramprakash makes stalemate likely

County Championship D2, Guildford (stumps, day three)
Somerset 688-8 dec v Surrey 532-6

Match scorecard

Centuries from Mark Ramprakash and Rikki Clarke carried Surrey to 632-6 in their run-laden Division Two match against Somerset at Guildford.

With half-centuries for Mark Butcher and Azhar Mahmood, a draw seems highly likely on the final day which Surrey will begin with a 56-run deficit.

Ramprakash has made more than 150 in three out of his last four innings.

And the former England batsman passed 1,500 runs for the season when he reached that milestone on Friday.

The end for him came in the 102nd over after a marathon six-hour innings worth 167 as he tried to guide a full-length delivery from Charl Willoughby down the leg side and was trapped lbw.

Clarke played quite beautifully and was still there at the close with an undefeated 165, just one run short of a career best.

Resuming the day on 173 for two, Ramprakash took the total past 200 with a superb straight six off the bowling of Mike Munday, one of the shots of the day.

It was only a sign of things to come on a wicket that had absolutely nothing in it for the bowlers.