Wilson and de Bruyn put Surrey in charge

Surrey are in a good position heading into the final day of the LVCC Division One match against Nottinghamshire at the KIA Oval, after setting the hosts a total of 347 for victory, thanks largely to half centuries from Gary Wilson and Zander de Bruyn.
We started the morning with a lead of 42, and once again Burns and Ansari opened up. However, Ansari's lean spell at the top of the order continued, as he was caught behind for 4 in the 4th over.

Harinath joined Burns in the middle, looking to replicate there 200 partnership they put on in the last home game against Middlesex. However, with the partnership on 40, Harinath was bowled by Graeme White. And after putting on a further 23 with KP, Burns was out in similar fashion for 44, as we went in at lunch on 83-3, leading by 125 runs.

Surrey would have placed a lot of faith in Pietersen taking them to a large enough lead to defend. But, in the 3rd over after the break, White had his 3rd, when he had Pietersen caught for 22. A poor shot from Pietersen, skying it to Phillips at long off, seemingly giving his wicket away. That brought Jason Roy to the crease, and he played a counter punch innings, similar to many innings we have seen from the South African born right hander over the last couple of seasons.

He and de Bruyn took our lead up and above 200, before Roy was caught by Voges for 41 to give Sam Wood his 1^st First Class wicket. De Bruyn was playing well, alongside Irish wicket keeper Gary Wilson, who were taking us to tea in a good position. Before the interval though, there was time for de Bruyn to pick up his 5^th half century of the season, and the first time he has passed that mark in successive innings. At tea, we were 193-5, leading by 235.

Wilson started to accelerate after the break, finding the gaps in a now spread outfield, and the pair brought up the 50 partnership, backing up their 100+ stand in the first innings. The lead continued to increase, passing the 250 mark 45 minutes after tea, as we began to try and bat the visitors out of the game. Wilson brought up his second 50 of the match, as he really started to show why Adams chose him ahead of the normally premier ‘keeper, Steve Davies.

However, with the new ball just around the corner, and as he had done in the first innings, de Bruyn got out LBW to White in the 70’s. 78 to be exact. It’s great that Zander has finally found some form (even if it is the penultimate game of the season!), but he will be disappointed not to have converted at least one of the scores to complete what would be a first century of the season, and the timing of the dismissals would also have frustrated him (and Adams).

Once again similarly to the first innings, a couple of overs after de Bruyn’s dismissal, Wilson was out for 57, with Wood picking up his second wicket. A massively vital knock from Wilson, because if he got out early, Notts would have fancied their chances of restricting the lead to below 250. The lead had reached 310, before Meaker was caught behind for 1 to leave us 8 down.

Batty and Kartik put on what could be a vital 9th wicket partnership of 30, as we were bowled out for 304. Nightwatchman Harry Gurney batted out the one remaining over tonight, opening up with Neil Edwards, who has come in for England bound Alex Hales.

Another good day for us, and on a pitch that seems to be spinning (with 7 wickets going to White and Wood), we have a very good chance of victory. Kartik and Batty will be eager to get a bowl on this pitch, and will be hoping to get as much success as they did against Middlesex a couple of weeks ago.

A win would secure a place for us in Division One for next season, as it looks unlikely that Lancashire will beat Middlesex. However, a defeat would leave everything in the balance heading into the final game at Liverpool next week. Good luck lads!