Stubborn skipper leads Surrey to draw

The LVCC Division One match between Surrey and Somerset has ended as a draw, thanks to an unbeaten 70 from the skipper Rory Hamilton-Brown. Stuart Meaker earlier picked up 8 wickets to set up the run chase.

Surrey wanted to finish off the Somerset innings as quickly as possible this morning, as 3 wickets remained and the lead was closing in on 300. It took just 40 minutes to happen, as Stuart Meaker cleaned up the tail. Philander was caught at short extra, before in the space of 3 balls, he removed the Overton twins in identical fashion, by uprooting their respective off stumps. Meaker had taken a remarkable 8-52, a career best in First Class cricket, and 11 in the game, also his first 10fer. Somerset were all out for 180, with 305 for Surrey to win.

Jason Roy was promoted up to the top of the order to open with Steve Davies, which immediately showed attacking intent. However, we got off to the worst possible start, when centurion of the first innings Davies played on to Philander and went for just 4. Rudolph came in at 3, needing to steady the ship, as another quick wicket could have opened the floodgates.

He and Roy played sensibly, but still ticking over at around 4 an over. Apart from a few play and misses, there were no real alarms for the pair, as they both found the boundary at regular intervals. They took Surrey to lunch just one down, on 66-1, still needing a further 239 for victory.

However, after starting the session the way they left off before the break, Surrey then had a terrible hour. Dockrell was introduced into the attack and tore apart the Surrey top order. He first had Roy caught at short leg for 41, and in his next over removed the other set batsman, Rudolph, for 45. The Irish spinner then had de Bruyn caught off a top edge sweep for just 1, and Surrey had lost 3 runs for 7 runs.

Maynard and the skipper started to rebuild the innings, and build a partnership, but it was cut short on 33, when Maynard was trapped in front by Trego for 13. Chris Jordan’s woeful form with the bat continued, as he was also adjudged LBW off Trego, and went for 6. Surrey were in danger of capitulating at 148-6.

However, like he did in the first innings, Batty looked in good form, and he and the skipper managed to keep Surrey in with a slight chance of victory, taking their side to tea on 184-6, needing a further 121 for victory.

Hamilton-Brown and Batty completely slowed down after the interval, and seemingly accepted a draw. Somerset also seemed to be happy with the draw, as would their defensive fielding positions imply. The Surrey pair batted into the final hour, and the game was definitely petering out but a wicket could have changed everything.

And with less than 13 overs remaining, that wicket came, as Batty looked to cut Dockrell, and was bowled for 33. Lewis joined his skipper, and had to continue from where Batty had left off, so that Surrey wouldn’t lose the game. And that is just what they did, as Surrey finished on 239-7, with the skipper unbeaten on 70.

So, slightly disappointing that RHB and Batty were so negative after tea, however, after conceding a first innings lead of over 100, and being 150-6 in the second, a draw is a good effort. The skipper once again showing a side of the game we didn’t think he had, his 70 off 161 balls.

We now turn our attention to the CB40 game against Durham at the Kia Oval tomorrow, looking to keep up our 100% record. However, it will be a tough game as Durham were the only side to beat us in the competition last year.