The manner of Surrey's demise at Taunton yesterday was not just woeful, but utterly mystifying. A hard fought win against Worcestershire on Saturday left the Brown Caps on the brink of clinching the Pro40 second division title, and with it a season's league double. However, after electing to bat in gloomy conditions and posting a below par score, the visitors saved their absolute worst for last by failing to ask any questions whatsoever of the Somerset batsmen. With Hampshire beating Yorkshire at Headingley, the Oval outfit ended up finishing fourth; missing out on the lifeline of a play-off against Glamorgan next weekend.

Mohammad Akram's 0-73 off 6.3 overs represented the third most expensive analysis by a Surrey bowler in 40-over competition. Nayan Doshi, the Brown Caps' most successful proponent in one-day cricket this summer, was almost as bad. The slow left-armer's first two overs went for 32 runs before he brought a modicum of respectability to proceedings by claiming two catches off his own bowling. Tim Murtagh, playing in what could be his last match for Surrey, accounted for the other Somerset wicket to fall, but he too was expensive.

The match reached a fitting conclusion when Akram served up his third no-ball in little more than an over, off of which Ian Blackwell was caught at mid-on. But, as it was, it meant the Sabres had won with nearly half their overs to spare and thus avoided the ignominy of finishing bottom of Division Two.

Quite why Mark Butcher persevered with the former Pakistan Test player, took some fathoming; especially when, after conceding 41 runs in five overs, he was reintroduced to the attack with Somerset just thirty shy of their target. If the move was intended to give Akram the chance to redeem himself, it became the ultimate humiliation.

It was all in total contrast to Charl Willoughby's opening six-over spell for the hosts, which cost just sixteen runs and brought with it the wicket of Alistair Brown, who fell to a brilliant catch at backward point.

With Scott Newman already gone, to a catch behind at the end of the first over, Ramprakash and Butcher needed to dig in for the second day running. The former England pair added 40 in seven overs for Surrey's third wicket before Mark Ramprakash was bowled off his pads by Gareth Andrew.

Somerset's spinners then took over. Azhar Mahmood was caught behind at the second attempt off Wes Durston in the very next over. Durston then struck again at the innings halfway point by getting Butcher to drive in the air to short extra cover.

With Blackwell proving hard to get away at the other end, the Brown Caps were unable to throw off the shackles. In their frustration, Rikki Clarke was bowled trying to cut Durston off his stumps, Chris Schofield was caught off a slog sweep and Jonathan Batty, who made a forlorn 40 in 56 deliveries, perished to a catch at long-on upon Willoughby's re-introduction to the attack.

Needing to score at just four and a half runs per over to win, the Sabres set off like an express train. They were hastened to victory by Arul Suppiah, who made 51 off 50 balls and played the supporting role in two whirlwind partnerships. His opening stand with Matthew Wood was worth 59 in nine overs. In alliance with James Hildreth, 76 runs came in seven overs for the second wicket. That left the hosts requiring 42 off twenty-four overs and the outcome beyond all possible doubt.

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