de Bruyn century lights up Liverpool

Surrey have had a good day in the rain affected LVCC Division One match against Lancashire at Liverpool, with Zander de Bruyn top scoring with an unbeaten century, as we reached 322-5 at the close.

After the first 2 days were washed out, the sun finally came out at Liverpool, and Lancashire won the toss and stuck us in. George Edwards and Stuart Meaker were the 2 left out from the 13 man squad, which meant Matthew Dunn and Tom Jewell made their first appearance of the season.

Ansari and Burns started positively, with the former batting like he does so effectively in List A cricket, as the pair brought up another 50 opening partnership, inside 40 minutes. However, debutant Tom Bailey made the breakthrough, when he bowled Ansari for 23. Today was the perfect opportunity for Zaf to get a score and cement a place at the top of the order, but it wasn't to be. 

The runs then started to dry up as the hosts tightened they lines. Harinath and Burns stood firm through, and were taking us towards lunch, but 3 overs before the break, with the partnership on 51, Harinath was caught for 17. There was still time for Burns' 4th half century of the summer, and in the process becoming our leading scorer in the LVCC this season, as we went in on 109-2. 

It was slow going after the break, with the 3^rd 50 partnership of the innings, this time Burns with de Bruyn, brought up in almost 20 overs. Burns was looking solid at the crease, and was destined for a second Championship hundred, but it wasn’t to be as Tom Smith made him edge behind on 73. Jason Roy came and went for 13, before the out of form Davies went 2 balls later for a duck, as we suddenly found ourselves 5 down for 178.

de Bruyn was joined by Tom Jewell, and the pair had to rebuild the innings, with a rather long tail behind them. They took us to tea on 190-5, de Bruyn unbeaten on a pedestrian 40. They continued their good job after the interval, as the 4^th half century partnership was brought up shortly after resumption, with de Bruyn providing a large chunk of the contribution.

The South African passed his half century, and regained the lead as our leading LVCC scorer, continuing with his fine form at the end of the season, with all Surrey fans wondering where this Zander de Bruyn has been for the last 5 months. Jewell began to look more comfortable at the crease, as he found the boundary for the first time off his 83^rd delivery. The hundred partnership between the pair was brought up almost simultaneously with de Bruyn heading into the 90’s for only the second time this season.

But this time he managed to convert into 3 figures, something he did 4 times last season, coming off 220 balls with 6 fours and two sixes off Simon Kerrigan. That was quickly followed by Tom Jewell’s second First Class half century, his milestone coming off 115 balls with 4 boundaries. They took us to the close on 324-5, an unbeaten partnership of 146.

Obviously there is no chance of victory in what is now a 2 day match, but it is always good to send off on a high at the end of the season. It’s great that de Bruyn has found some form, and hopefully he will take that into the Winter with his side in South Africa, and come back for the final year in his contract next year. A couple of weeks ago I would have let him go, but the way he batted against Notts last week was so vital, and with RHB looking like he is going to leave, we need all the batting we can get.

It’s great to see Jewell take his chance with the bat, and hopefully he and Dunn can prove themselves with the ball tomorrow. Burns is looking increasingly good at the top of the order, and hopefully will fulfil that role for years to come.

On the topic of RHB, it will be disappointing to see him go, but if he feels it is right for him to do so, then I understand his decision. But Adams has some serious acquisitions to complete in the Winter months. However, I’ll come across that when, or if, it is made official.

Tomorrow is all about finishing off the season well, and for the people whose contract is up, a small opportunity to prove what they can do. Good luck Matt and Tom.