Surrey fall two wickets short

The LVCC Division One match between Worcestershire and Surrey at New Road has finished as a draw, as Surrey were unable to claim the last two wickets after setting the hosts 260 to win. Tom Maynard and Rory Hamilton-Brown both struck sublime centuries to set up the target.

The partnership between RHB and Maynard started the day at 91, and it didn’t take long for it to past 100. Maynard continued from where he left off last night, taking part in an onslaught of the Worcestershire bowlers. He seemed to be timing everything that was thrown at him immaculately, and took the lead over 100. He then went to a quite remarkable hundred with a six straight back over the head of Kapil, his first maximum of the LVCC season. It was also the first hundred by a Surrey player in the competition this season, and had come off just 102 balls, with 14 fours to accompany the six. The innings had mirrored his attack of the Middlesex bowlers at Guildford last year, where he also got a duck in the first innings.

The lead had gone past 150, as Surrey had added over 100 in the first hour of the day. The partnership had gone past Surrey’s highest 5^th wicket stand against Worcestershire, which was previously 193, held by Trevor Jesty and Monte Lynch in 1986. And not long after the partnership had past 200, RHB reached a quite brilliant century. It had come off 144 balls, and is continuing to show his increase in maturity this season.

However, not long after, the captain’s innings came to an end as he was caught at mid on off Moeen Ali for 115. Maynard was still there though, and he was joined by de Bruyn, and the pair continued to find the boundary with regular ease. The pair took Surrey to lunch on 382-5, with Maynard unbeaten on 138.

In the over after the break, Maynard went, but still managed to pass his previous best of 141, to finish on 143. It was over to de Bruyn and Batty to tick the score along. de Bruyn had got to 34, before he was caught. RHB pulled the plug with the score on 431-7, a lead of 259.

The Worcestershire batsman made the start they wanted to their innings, playing steadily against some sometimes wayward bowling from Lewis and Linley. However, George Edwards was introduced and in his second over picked up two wickets. First, he had Klinger caught by sub Jordan, and then trapped Solanki in front 4 balls later. Edwards certainly impressing on debut.

Lewis then got the skipper Mitchell in the next over, to reduce the hosts to 29-3. Ali and Cameron took their side to tea just 3 down, but after the interval, Batty made the breakthrough when Ali played on. However, as he seems to have done a lot already this season, Cameron started to frustrate the Surrey bowlers and take his side towards a draw. However, it was that man Batty again who made the breakthrough, when Cameron was bowled. Worcestershire 5 down for 93, with at least 22 overs remaining.

Edwards was at it again a couple of overs later, as he once again picked up 2 in the same over. He first bowled Ben Scott, and followed that up 5 balls later by removing Kapil, caught excellently by Linley at cover point. According to Mark Church, it was one of the best catches he has ever seen, but it unfortunately may not be seen again, as it was out of shot of the camera.

Lucas and Pardoe steadied the ship for Worcestershire, getting the overs remaining down to single figures. However, on 19, Lewis got rid of Lucas, when Davies took a good catch up to the stumps. 2 wickets were needed in just under 8 overs. However, that was the last wicket of the game, as Pardoe and Jones batted out the remaining overs, to finish on 150-8.

Disapointing that we couldn’t quite get over the line today, but a fantastic performance from the guys. After being 43-8 yesterday, nobody would have foreshadowed what followed, thanks to RHB and Maynard. Obviously Maynard and RHB are the stand out performers, but George Edwards should also take some credit, picking up 5 wickets in the game, including 4-44 today. We now face Somerset in the LVCC starting Wednesday at the Kia Oval, looking to take momentum from today and claim our second win of the season.