The LVCC Division One match between Surrey and
Worcestershire has ended in a draw, after rain brought an early end to
proceedings, with the visitors requiring a further 152 for victory, on 94-1.
The day started with Surrey leading by 152, with 4
wickets in hand. RHB and Batty were the not out batsman, but Batty didn’t last
long though, as he got a brute of a ball from Lucas, and was caught in the
gully for 19. The wicket of Batty didn’t deter Hamilton-Brown though, as he
continued from where he left off last night, gradually building a sizeable lead
on this pitch.
50 minutes into the days play, the skipper looked to
launch Lucas, but could only find Choudhry at mid on, who took the catch. His
score of 76, off just 96 balls, is superb in the context of the game, and put
Surrey into a great position. He has scored vital half centuries in all of the
second innings this season, and showing a side to his batting which Surrey fans
have been waiting for. Meaker and Lewis were together at the crease, and the
lead was taken over 200, with a boundary from Lewis.
Meaker was the next man to go, when he flashed at a ball
from Jones, and was caught in the slips for 19. Dernbach came in, and started
to enjoy himself with an array of attacking shots, including a huge six down
the ground off Richardson. He was the last man to go though, as he tried to
launch Lucas but could only find Choudhry. Surrey all out for 224, with 246 for
Worcestershire to win. Mitchell and Klinger survived the tricky 3 overs before
lunch, to take their side to the break at 4-0.
If the Surrey bowlers thought that Worcestershire would
just roll over, they had another thing coming. RHB tried different combinations
of bowlers, with Lewis, Meaker and Dernbach all having a go after lunch, but
without success. Klinger was dominating the opening partnership, which went
past 50 an hour after the break, and the pitch was looking far easier to bat on
than previous days.
The batsman were taking the game away from Surrey, and
putting their sides as favourites if the weather stayed ok. Surrey did pick up
a wicket, when Jordan bowled Mitchell in his second over of the innings.
However, that was the last action of the game, as the rain came and lasted long
enough for the umpires to end the game as a draw.
So, in the end, a draw was probably a fair result. Surrey
will be disappointed that they couldn’t claim more Worcestershire wickets, but
the pitch definitely flattened out, and the rain saved them from defeat in the
end. As you would expect, a good game for our bowlers, with Meaker obviously
standing out in the first innings. The batsman did have it tough though, with
RHB the only one who looked comfortable on that pitch. Roy looked good in both
innings but failed to kick on, and Ramps and de Bruyn once again registered 2
low scores. When Rudolph comes back in, Adams will have the dilemma of dropping
Ramps or not, with Roy possibly being kept.
Not that I want Ramps dropped though, as I would do
anything to see him be half as good as we know he can be, and it’s not just
him, as most of the batsman around the circuit are struggling. Surrey now
welcome Durham to the Kia Oval on Thursday, and the hosts will be looking to
resurrect their form from the Sussex game, against a strong looking Durham
side.
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