Somerset's Arul Suppiah celebrates reaching his century

LV= County Championship Division 1: Somerset 441-5

Somerset's Arul Suppiah is run out by Surrey's Gareth Batty

Arul Suppiah scored a century as Somerset enjoyed a wonderful opening day of their County Championship match against Surrey at the Kia Oval.

James Hildreth also reached three figures late in the day, but was dismissed for 120 just before the close and Surrey need a wicket to expose the tail.

The centurions were well supported by Nick Compton, Alex Barrow and Craig Kieswetter as the West Country side posted over 400 runs to claim maximum batting points.

Somerset had won the toss and elected to bat on a sunny day and the Kia Oval’s pitch looked in excellent condition for strokemakers.

Suppiah and Barrow opened up for the West Country side and the former was off the mark with a leg glance for four.

The opening pair made a solid start, bringing up the 50 partnership in the 11th over as they saw off the new ball attack of Chis Jordan and Jon Lewis.

Barrow had reached 47 off 48 balls but missed out on his 50 as he was caught by Tom Maynard off the bowling of Stuart Meaker (63-1).

Compton came in and was positive from the off and Somerset went off for lunch at 109-1.

The afternoon session began in the same vein, with Somerset untroubled by Surrey’s bowling and Suppiah brought up his 50 off 89 balls.

The opener then went through the gears and raced into the 90s midway through the afternoon session and looked set, not just to make a hundred but a sizeable ton.

The moment came when Suppiah swept Gareth Batty for four to move to three figures off 129 balls as Somerset brought up the 200 as well.

But he was run out for 106 as Compton turned down the chance of a quick single leaving Suppiah stranded as he was run out from the throw of Maynard (206-2).

Compton was unmoved and brought up his 50 off 105 balls and moved serenely on his way as Hildreth settled in.

But with the last ball before tea he departed, LBW off the bowling of Zander De Bruyn (290-3).

Kieswetter came out and the West Country side soon passed the 300 mark to claim their third batting bonus point.

Hildreth brought up his 50 as Somerset looked dominant and Surrey appeared increasingly unlikely to pick up a fourth wicket with the old ball.

With 81 overs gone and 372 runs on the board Surrey took the new ball as they looked to pick up that wicket.

But it only served to see the ball fly off the bat at a faster rate as Kieswetter looked set to be heading towards a half century.

But with the England limited overs wicketkeeper on 49 he was adjudged LBW off the bowling of Lewis with Hildreth six runs short of his hundred (398-4).

Peter Trego came out with just over nine overs remaining in the day and the Taunton based outfit two runs short of maximum batting points.

Hildreth hit the four to take his side to 400 and move to 99 at the same time.

And he was able to raise the bat in triumph a ball later as he dabbed the ball behind point to reach his century from 117 balls.

Trego eventually moved off the mark, with a streaky four to the third man region.

With less than seven overs remaining in the day Hildreth scored the first six of the innings, with the score on 423.

Surrey and Meaker thought they had Hildreth caught behind but the umpire, Ian Gould, turned down the appeal.

But with under three overs remaining the centurion did depart for 120 to give the hosts their fifth wicket (437-5).

George Dockrell came out as nightwatchman to see out the remaining overs.

He did just that and Surrey have 14 overs tomorrow to pick up four wickets to claim maximum bowling points.