Vaughan display 'incredibly exciting' for Somerset
Teenage spinner Archie Vaughan was a stand-out performer as Somerset narrowly beat title rivals Surrey
- Published
Somerset teenager Archie Vaughan produced an "incredibly exciting" performance during their dramatic County Championship win over rivals Surrey, said head coach Jason Kerr.
The 18-year-old spinner and son of former England captain Michael claimed match figures of 11-140 as Somerset beat their rivals by 111 runs over four days, to keep up their hopes of a first-ever championship win.
Vaughan - typically a batter - claimed 5-38 on the fourth and final day as Somerset edged to victory in only his second County Championship start for the club.
"He's demonstrated incredible skill and maturity for someone so young and - if we're honest - inexperienced as an off-spin bowler," Kerr told ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Somerset.
"He's come into the team and fitted in brilliantly.
"We saw the class that he possesses with the bat and we look forward to seeing that in the future but it's obviously incredibly exciting and we're delighted for what he's delivered with the ball."
'An incredible opportunity ahead'
The victory means Somerset move within eight points of Division One leaders and two-time defending champions Surrey, with two matches remaining.
They face Lancashire away starting on Tuesday, 17 September before their final match of the campaign at home to Hampshire begins on 26 September.
"We had to beat them to stay in contention to try to achieve something that's never been done before so the energy that's in the dressing room - deservedly so - is incredibly high and one of huge excitement," Kerr said.
First, however, Somerset take on Surrey again on Saturday in the semi-finals of the T20 Blast, for a chance to reclaim the title they won in 2023.
They are also in the One-Day Cup final against Glamorgan on 22 September as they keep up the hunt for three titles this season.
"It's not often you get this opportunity. We've got an incredible opportunity ahead of us coming into September - there's three trophies that are up for grabs," Kerr said.
"We wanted to be in a position in September where we're challenging.
"Our philosophy as a club is we want to win every competition and to do that with the resources available to us, first and foremost, is an incredible effort.
"Secondly we're here, we've got an opportunity and that excitement and energy will carry us through to the end of the year."