Surrey moved slightly ahead of Essex on the first day of their championship match at The Oval, with the hosts being stuck in to bat and finishing the day 293-5.
Surrey only lost one wicket in the first session as runs came slowly, but there were no real problems in the pitch with Jamie Porter snaring Zafar Ansari for 18. Rory Burns and Kumar Sangakkara looked pretty much at ease in cloudy conditions with Burns making 50 off 113 balls, and Sanga easing to his from 97 balls including a massive six into the OCS stand off Monty Panesar. Burns tried to repeat Sanga's six, but holed out to cover to go for 78. This brought Kevin Pietersen to the wicket, but he and Sanga would not have a glorious day, as Sanga was soon LBW to Ryder for 52.
Steven Davies and KP then batted through to tea and onwards to the new ball without too much trouble then KP fell LBW to Ryder's first ball back for a becalmed 32, and Jason Roy followed in the same fashion two balls later as Surrey slumped to 243-5.
It took a late 50 stand between Davies and Gary Wilson to see them through to the close, Davies 69 (50 from 94 balls), Wilson 23. The worries for Essex would be quick wickets in the morning and the state of Greg Smith who went off injured mid over.
Showing posts with label surrey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label surrey. Show all posts
Friday, 1 May 2015
Friday, 25 April 2014
Dunn, Dunn, Dunn
The second day of Surrey vs Essex at the Oval began with the toss, after the first day had been washed out, Surrey winning the toss and fielding. Alastair Cook and Jaik Mickleburgh found the going reasonably easy to start with, prodding runs off a fairly strong attack. The "highlight" of the morning being Zafar Ansari giving himself a concussion. Cook played a drive through point, Ansari misfielded it, but managed to chase it down to the fence and slid, only to carry across the wet outfield and into the advertising boards head first. There was about a 10 minute delay as he was revived and led off the field, he would take no further part in the game. The 50 came up in the 16th over, Cook looking particularly strong, before he played a horrible pull to Matt Dunn, which looped into the gloves of Steve Davies for 39, 67-1. Jade Dernbach soon got the 2nd, Mickleburgh edging to Graeme Smith at slip, 85-2. Around lunchtime, the rain came and dumped a bucketful on the ground, delaying us for a couple of hours.
The post lunch fight was led by Westley and Bopara, the pitch looking good, but with something in it for the seamers with the amount of the rain that had been around. The lack of Ansari (and with 3 keepers and Smith himself) the lack of change bowling became clear when Jason Roy came on as the fifth bowler in the 38th over. Matt Dunn returned to break the partnership in a cracking over, accounting for Westley (caught by Burns close in) and Greg Smith (edged to Wilson at 2nd slip) for a duck as Essex slumped to 126-4. The pace slowed up further as the bowlers kept the scoring in check and were rewarded when Meaker blasted one through Ben Foakes to snare him for 22. Bopara and James Foster brought up the 200, and Bopara was looking in good nick for a decent score, but was then strangled down the leg side by Roy for 49. Play ended soon after with Essex 225-6 in 78 overs, a draw looking the likely result.
The post lunch fight was led by Westley and Bopara, the pitch looking good, but with something in it for the seamers with the amount of the rain that had been around. The lack of Ansari (and with 3 keepers and Smith himself) the lack of change bowling became clear when Jason Roy came on as the fifth bowler in the 38th over. Matt Dunn returned to break the partnership in a cracking over, accounting for Westley (caught by Burns close in) and Greg Smith (edged to Wilson at 2nd slip) for a duck as Essex slumped to 126-4. The pace slowed up further as the bowlers kept the scoring in check and were rewarded when Meaker blasted one through Ben Foakes to snare him for 22. Bopara and James Foster brought up the 200, and Bopara was looking in good nick for a decent score, but was then strangled down the leg side by Roy for 49. Play ended soon after with Essex 225-6 in 78 overs, a draw looking the likely result.
Sunday, 11 August 2013
One Of "Those" Days...
The penultimate game of the t20 for Middlesex was the London Derby against Surrey at Lord's. Middlesex won the toss and fielded (as they have done all season), with Surrey star signing Ricky Ponting missing out with a groin strain. It soon looked to be a good decision as Gareth Berg picked up Steven Davies (5) and Jason Roy (11) in the space of three balls in the third over as Surrey slipped to 17-2. Then things started to go a bit wrong as Vikram Solanki and Kevin O'Brien started pommelling the bowling with each of them making early sixes as the fifth over went for 16 and the sixth over went for 15 as Surrey reached 60-1 at the end of the powerplay.
The introduction of Ravi Patel (who picked up four wickets in the reverse fixture) did little to slow the rate as Solanki smacked him into the Tavern Stand before O'Brien swung Voges for six (to bring up the 100) and with another single, completed a 22 ball 50 with 5 fours and 3 sixes. His luck finally ran out, being bowled by Patel in the next over for 54, 107-3. Things looked up in Patel's next over as well, with Solanki holing out to Dexter for 37 and Gary Wilson being stumped by Rossington for 4, with Surrey now 117-5 after 13 overs, there was a chance they could be kept below 160. But the problem was Azhar Mahmood, who came in with the mood to give it some tap, with consecutive fours off Voges and a huge six off Kyle Mills as runs came quickly. Mahmood and Zafar Ansari added 59 in seven overs before a late flurry of wickets (Mahmood run out looking for the strike and Jon Lewis bowled by Berg) didn't detract from what was a good score that would be a good chase on a fairly flat pitch as Surrey finished 178-7, Patel (3-28) and Berg (3-37) the best bowlers.
Middlesex's reply got off to a horrible start, as Malan's heave off Mahmood went straight to Dernbach before Denly's top edge off Tremlett flew to Lewis at third man who took a good catch over his shoulder, 16-2. Then Tremlett bowled a no ball, which Stirling leaned back to and cut with full power, high over the Mound stand and out of the ground, a huge shot, but it was to be the highlight of the innings as first Voges off Tremlett (0) and then Stirling off Mahmood (19) picked out O'Brien in what was turning into a nightmare as everything in the air was caught. Eoin Morgan prodded one short of the fielder, before having a massive swing at Tremlett, and getting four down to the Mound Stand boundary before picking out Roy at point off Lewis to fall for a terrible 9 on his comeback from injury, 40-5 at the end of the powerplay and the game was up, which was soon 40-6 as Rossington offered up an easy catch for Wilson off Dernbach.
At least Gareth Berg showed some fight, hitting 2 fours off Dernbach then mashing Batty for 16 off his first over, including a straight four and a six that the man at long on parried over the rope. That was to be it though as Dexter fell LBW to Ansari for 3, then Berg was bowled by Batty for 33 off 19. Patel was also bowled by Ansari then Mills charged, missed and was stumped by Davies off Batty as MIddlesex crumbled to a pitiful 92 all out in only 14 overs to give Surrey the win by 86 runs, Ansari 2-7 and Mahmood 2-12 having the best figures, O'Brien was unsurprisingly given the man of the match award.
The introduction of Ravi Patel (who picked up four wickets in the reverse fixture) did little to slow the rate as Solanki smacked him into the Tavern Stand before O'Brien swung Voges for six (to bring up the 100) and with another single, completed a 22 ball 50 with 5 fours and 3 sixes. His luck finally ran out, being bowled by Patel in the next over for 54, 107-3. Things looked up in Patel's next over as well, with Solanki holing out to Dexter for 37 and Gary Wilson being stumped by Rossington for 4, with Surrey now 117-5 after 13 overs, there was a chance they could be kept below 160. But the problem was Azhar Mahmood, who came in with the mood to give it some tap, with consecutive fours off Voges and a huge six off Kyle Mills as runs came quickly. Mahmood and Zafar Ansari added 59 in seven overs before a late flurry of wickets (Mahmood run out looking for the strike and Jon Lewis bowled by Berg) didn't detract from what was a good score that would be a good chase on a fairly flat pitch as Surrey finished 178-7, Patel (3-28) and Berg (3-37) the best bowlers.
Middlesex's reply got off to a horrible start, as Malan's heave off Mahmood went straight to Dernbach before Denly's top edge off Tremlett flew to Lewis at third man who took a good catch over his shoulder, 16-2. Then Tremlett bowled a no ball, which Stirling leaned back to and cut with full power, high over the Mound stand and out of the ground, a huge shot, but it was to be the highlight of the innings as first Voges off Tremlett (0) and then Stirling off Mahmood (19) picked out O'Brien in what was turning into a nightmare as everything in the air was caught. Eoin Morgan prodded one short of the fielder, before having a massive swing at Tremlett, and getting four down to the Mound Stand boundary before picking out Roy at point off Lewis to fall for a terrible 9 on his comeback from injury, 40-5 at the end of the powerplay and the game was up, which was soon 40-6 as Rossington offered up an easy catch for Wilson off Dernbach.
At least Gareth Berg showed some fight, hitting 2 fours off Dernbach then mashing Batty for 16 off his first over, including a straight four and a six that the man at long on parried over the rope. That was to be it though as Dexter fell LBW to Ansari for 3, then Berg was bowled by Batty for 33 off 19. Patel was also bowled by Ansari then Mills charged, missed and was stumped by Davies off Batty as MIddlesex crumbled to a pitiful 92 all out in only 14 overs to give Surrey the win by 86 runs, Ansari 2-7 and Mahmood 2-12 having the best figures, O'Brien was unsurprisingly given the man of the match award.
Sunday, 19 May 2013
A Bit of a Change
Instead of heading to the fourth day at Lord's, lets head instead to The Oval, where Surrey Women were taking on Yorkshire Women in the Women's County Championship. Yorkshire (starting as favourites) won the toss and chose to bat. The started solidly, with England Acadmeny keeper Loz Winfield outscoring Kathryn Doherty when Doherty fell LBW to another Acadmeny player Nat Sciver for 1, 26-1. Sciver then got another in the same over as Jess Watson also fell LBW for nought, 27-2. Yorkshire were soon in a bit of trouble as Katherine Robson bagged Dani Hazell for another duck, a wild slash to point where the sub took the catch, 31-3.
Then came some stability in the innings with Winfield and Hollie Armitage seeing off openers and settling in to the rest of Surrey's young attack. The pair found runs difficult to come by but Surrey should have had Armitage at slip, but the chance went down. The fifty partnership came up with a flick through square leg from Winfield. But Armitage then departed edging Cecily Scutt's left arm spin to keeper Lucy Binns for 25, 89-4. Winfield reached her 50 (85 balls) and took Yorkshire past 100 as she began to look to hit the ball over the infield Salliann Briggs holed out to cover off Jess Jackson for 4, 108-5 with plenty of overs left. Laura Spragg only last two balls before chipping one down the track for Jackson to take a good catch high above her head.
Winfield was kept off strike for a couple of overs and Phoebe Graham got to five before lifting one to the infield to give the impressive Jackson her third wicket, 115-7 and a possible upset on. Winfield went back to attacking the bowling, launching the ball to the leg side boundary with some powerful drives and sweeps. This was the innings that brought all the runs as she added 33 for the eighth wicket with Kennedy Nuttall, whose contribution was four, though Surrey dropped Winfield in the deep when she was on 70, there weren't many other chances. Nuttall was eventually run out taking a quick single to mid on by a direct hit from Jackson (to go with 3-27 from her 10) to leave Surrey 148-8. Winfield kept attacking but on 96, her luck ran out as she hoisted one towards long off, where Beth Kerins ran round and just clung on to the catch, a disappointing end to an innings that formed the bulk of the total with 15 fours. The end came soon after, Aimee Simms pushed a single square, hesitated, went and was run out by Hannah Jones's throw to Clarke for 5 with Katie Levick 4 not out, 169 all out, an achievable target if Surrey showed application.
Surrey began their chase cautiously with Spragg and Levick giving little away, apart from an early set of 5 wides from Spragg sprayed past Winfield. Sophie Pout was first to go, caught by Hazell inside the circle for two, 14-1. This brought Sciver in who started whittling down the runs required thanks to the favourable required run rate with 13 year old Hannah Jones, they saw off the opening bowlers, but Jones was out caught by Watson off Graham for 13, 44-2. Sciver then started swinging away, hitting a couple of fours straight and square down through backward square leg, as Kirsty White chipped a return catch to Hazell for 1 having helped a partnership of 31, 75-2. That was to be Hazell's only wicket despite some fierce appealing. Sciver motored along to her 50 from 60 balls, but lost Scutt lbw to Simms for 8 with 77 still remaining.
Briggs then brought back Levick from the pavilion end, and set a field with four fielders in the leg side arc, when Sciver then hit one straight to Armitage at deep midwicket to fall for 68 off 91 with 10 fours, 122-5, and it was up to Clarke and the tail to see what they could do. Kerins though, was bowled by Simms for 6 and Lucy Binns was bowled by Spragg for 4 as the score became 138-7. Clarke hit two fours to bring up the 150, and with Jackson it looked like they might do it. Briggs decided to bring on Armitage from the Vauxhall end with 17 needed from 30 and, after starting with a wide, trapped Clarke LBW next ball for 22. She then bowled Robson off stump third ball for a duck before finishing it off next over as Jackson (6) charged, missed and the ball clipped the off bail as Surrey were all out for 157 to lose by 12 runs, Armitage finishing with handy figures of 3-2 from 10 balls.
Surrey began their chase cautiously with Spragg and Levick giving little away, apart from an early set of 5 wides from Spragg sprayed past Winfield. Sophie Pout was first to go, caught by Hazell inside the circle for two, 14-1. This brought Sciver in who started whittling down the runs required thanks to the favourable required run rate with 13 year old Hannah Jones, they saw off the opening bowlers, but Jones was out caught by Watson off Graham for 13, 44-2. Sciver then started swinging away, hitting a couple of fours straight and square down through backward square leg, as Kirsty White chipped a return catch to Hazell for 1 having helped a partnership of 31, 75-2. That was to be Hazell's only wicket despite some fierce appealing. Sciver motored along to her 50 from 60 balls, but lost Scutt lbw to Simms for 8 with 77 still remaining.
Briggs then brought back Levick from the pavilion end, and set a field with four fielders in the leg side arc, when Sciver then hit one straight to Armitage at deep midwicket to fall for 68 off 91 with 10 fours, 122-5, and it was up to Clarke and the tail to see what they could do. Kerins though, was bowled by Simms for 6 and Lucy Binns was bowled by Spragg for 4 as the score became 138-7. Clarke hit two fours to bring up the 150, and with Jackson it looked like they might do it. Briggs decided to bring on Armitage from the Vauxhall end with 17 needed from 30 and, after starting with a wide, trapped Clarke LBW next ball for 22. She then bowled Robson off stump third ball for a duck before finishing it off next over as Jackson (6) charged, missed and the ball clipped the off bail as Surrey were all out for 157 to lose by 12 runs, Armitage finishing with handy figures of 3-2 from 10 balls.
Sunday, 12 May 2013
The Comeback
Middlesex began the 3rd day against Surrey at Lord's in a bit of trouble, 161-9, still 177 behind, and Corey Collymore was soon LBW for 1, 166 all out. Graeme Smith, unsurprisingly enforced the follow on, so Sam Robson and Chris Rogers were out to bat as much of the two days as they could to save the game.
This time round, the pitch seemed flat and batting was easier, an early set of four overthrows was happily accepted by Rogers, as runs flowed more freely with 50 being reached in the 17th over. Lunch came and went before Robson reached his 50 from 79 balls. Even Gareth Batty's spin proved ineffective at removing anything, as the 100 came up with Rogers then getting to a 94 ball 50. The only thing that looked likely to break the partnership was some of the interesting running from Rogers, with three different occasions in the afternoon session where a quick single almost ended up in a run out.
Surrey looked a fast bowler light, with Zander De Bruyn bowling more overs than would be ideal as Rogers accelerated to catch up with Robson's score (76 to 71) as the 150 came up with four leg byes to the Media Centre boundary, the first extras conceded by Surrey in the match. Middlesex went into the lead in the match still none down and with enough time to possibly force victory as 3 runs an over was easily achieved without any risks being taken as Robson and Rogers happily left the short ball and Rogers was to reach his 100 from 185 balls with a push through midwicket, and Robson, next over, reached his 100 also from 185 balls with a quick single off Batty. Both batsmen cut loose, as the partnership passed 231, it became the highest first wicket for Middlesex against Surrey, beating a hundred year old record. Rory Burns got his first bowl in professional cricket, as the 250 came up in the 72nd over, before De Brutn got one to bounce on Robson, who went for the pull to edge through to keeper Steve Davies to go for 129 for the first wicket in about 5 hours, 259-1.
Vikram Solanki dropped Denly at slip on nought, but caught him just before close having a nothing poke to Jade Dernbach with the new ball for 12, 279-2. Steve Finn came in as nightwatchman, and saw Middlesex to close 283-2, Finn 4 not out and Rogers 131 not out. Middlesex leading by 111 with one day left, could they force an improbable win?
This time round, the pitch seemed flat and batting was easier, an early set of four overthrows was happily accepted by Rogers, as runs flowed more freely with 50 being reached in the 17th over. Lunch came and went before Robson reached his 50 from 79 balls. Even Gareth Batty's spin proved ineffective at removing anything, as the 100 came up with Rogers then getting to a 94 ball 50. The only thing that looked likely to break the partnership was some of the interesting running from Rogers, with three different occasions in the afternoon session where a quick single almost ended up in a run out.
Surrey looked a fast bowler light, with Zander De Bruyn bowling more overs than would be ideal as Rogers accelerated to catch up with Robson's score (76 to 71) as the 150 came up with four leg byes to the Media Centre boundary, the first extras conceded by Surrey in the match. Middlesex went into the lead in the match still none down and with enough time to possibly force victory as 3 runs an over was easily achieved without any risks being taken as Robson and Rogers happily left the short ball and Rogers was to reach his 100 from 185 balls with a push through midwicket, and Robson, next over, reached his 100 also from 185 balls with a quick single off Batty. Both batsmen cut loose, as the partnership passed 231, it became the highest first wicket for Middlesex against Surrey, beating a hundred year old record. Rory Burns got his first bowl in professional cricket, as the 250 came up in the 72nd over, before De Brutn got one to bounce on Robson, who went for the pull to edge through to keeper Steve Davies to go for 129 for the first wicket in about 5 hours, 259-1.
Vikram Solanki dropped Denly at slip on nought, but caught him just before close having a nothing poke to Jade Dernbach with the new ball for 12, 279-2. Steve Finn came in as nightwatchman, and saw Middlesex to close 283-2, Finn 4 not out and Rogers 131 not out. Middlesex leading by 111 with one day left, could they force an improbable win?
Wednesday, 24 April 2013
Blessed are the Meakers
(After Middlesex won inside 3 days, so a change in plan was required), The final day of Surrey vs Somerset at The Oval had the potential to be exciting, as Somerset started 6-0, 24 ahead, with a possible collapse leading to a result. Stuart Meaker soon got the early breakthroughs, as Marcus Trescothick (14) edged to Gary Wilson at slip and Nick Compton (16) lost his off stump before Gareth Batty had James Hildreth (21) LBW as Somerset slipped to 75-3 after the first hour. Surrey were unable to keep the run rate down as Alviro Petersen looked to add to his first innings hundred and the pitch being flat and lifeless, he had little trouble scoring.
Zander De Bruyn then found movement from the Pavilion End to trap Craig Kieswetter LBW for 1, now 82-4 and a shock victory was still possible. But after lunch, Surrey struggled to break through as Petersen and Jos Buttler brought up the hundred before Petersen took 10 off a Meaker over to move to 50 (66 balls). Surrey looked a fast bowler light and Gary Keedy bowled a poor line with Petersen slapping him into the OCS stand for 6 in his second over. He bowled some so wide of leg stump that Buttler had to stretch to kick them away, including kicking one to fine leg.
Batty finally got the breakthrough, with Petersen set for 100, he flicked one to Rory Burns at short leg to go for 91, 193-5. Meaker cam back on and had Peter Trego caught by Vikram Solanki for 4, then bowling Alfonso Thomas for a duck next over and an over later trapping Jamie Overton LBW for 6 to get his 5th wicket. A great performance, but probably too late as Somerset were 208-8 with 40 overs left in the day. Meaker (5-60) then limped off with a leg injury, ending any victory shot. Buttler had reached a 103 ball 50 and all that remained was if he could reach his hundred post tea. George Dockrell was happy to block out one end and feed Buttler the strike. Buttler moved through the 70s with shots round the wicket against Batty and Keedy, launching a one bounce four to the OCS stand before hitting a straight six into the same region, and another straight four to bring up the 250, and then he went for the six for his hundred, only for Batty to cling on, right on the long on boundary, 94 off 155 balls, 12x4, 1x6. The declaration and draw then came (251-9), with Dockrell unbeaten with 2 from 65. Surrey take 8 points, Somerset 9.
Zander De Bruyn then found movement from the Pavilion End to trap Craig Kieswetter LBW for 1, now 82-4 and a shock victory was still possible. But after lunch, Surrey struggled to break through as Petersen and Jos Buttler brought up the hundred before Petersen took 10 off a Meaker over to move to 50 (66 balls). Surrey looked a fast bowler light and Gary Keedy bowled a poor line with Petersen slapping him into the OCS stand for 6 in his second over. He bowled some so wide of leg stump that Buttler had to stretch to kick them away, including kicking one to fine leg.
Batty finally got the breakthrough, with Petersen set for 100, he flicked one to Rory Burns at short leg to go for 91, 193-5. Meaker cam back on and had Peter Trego caught by Vikram Solanki for 4, then bowling Alfonso Thomas for a duck next over and an over later trapping Jamie Overton LBW for 6 to get his 5th wicket. A great performance, but probably too late as Somerset were 208-8 with 40 overs left in the day. Meaker (5-60) then limped off with a leg injury, ending any victory shot. Buttler had reached a 103 ball 50 and all that remained was if he could reach his hundred post tea. George Dockrell was happy to block out one end and feed Buttler the strike. Buttler moved through the 70s with shots round the wicket against Batty and Keedy, launching a one bounce four to the OCS stand before hitting a straight six into the same region, and another straight four to bring up the 250, and then he went for the six for his hundred, only for Batty to cling on, right on the long on boundary, 94 off 155 balls, 12x4, 1x6. The declaration and draw then came (251-9), with Dockrell unbeaten with 2 from 65. Surrey take 8 points, Somerset 9.
Monday, 3 September 2012
Burns Burns Middlesex
A good way to start a day is to lose an early wicket, which is what Middlesex did on the 2nd Day against Surrey at The Oval as Sam Robson was LBW to Jade Dernbach fourth ball for 29, nightwatchman Tom Smith brought up the 100 with a four off Zander De Bruyn and he and Joe Denly started a fightback.
The fightback ended with Denly caught behind by Steve Davies off Tim Linley for 17, 128-3 still 16 behind in bowler friendly conditions similar to the previous day, with similar results from the batsmen. Dawid Malan and Smith took Middlesex into the lead, and the lead to 20, before Murali Kartik from the Vauxhall End finally ended Smith's excellent resistance on 31, and had Malan caught at short leg for 22 a sharp catch from Rory Burns (who also got clopped on the head from a sweep shot), 171-5. This gave Middlesex's 2nd debutant in the match, Andy Balbirnie the opportunity to cover drive Kartik for four three times in four balls in the next over before Neil Dexter gave Kartik his third, edging to Jason Roy for 5, 186-6.
Balbirnie (14) and Steve Crook then fell in consecutive balls LBW to Gareth Batty before he caught Adam Rossington at cover off Kartik for another duck as Middlesex slumped to 188-9 having lost 4-2 in 25 balls. Tim Murtagh and Toby Roland-Jones then carted the total towards respectability as Murtagh planted Batty for six towards the pavilion as they brought up the 200 and forced Batty out of the attack. Murtagh was driving and lofting the ball well, until he tried one heave across the line too many and Rory Hamilton-Brown took a smart catch at midwicket, Middlesex 232 all out, the 44 runs for the last wicket giving them a lead of 88.
Murtagh started the 2nd innings by spraying a ball past Rossington for 5 wides, but Roland-Jones was better, and, having found the edge from Zafar Ansari (9 ball duck) watched as Sam Robson pulled off an amazing low catch to his left. Surrey then woke up, in (relatively) sunny conditions and Arun Harinath and Burns then saw off the opening bowlers before tucking into Smith, Balbirnie and Dexter as they reached 86-1 at the close, Harinath 39 and Burns on 40, only two behind with 9 wickets left.
The fightback ended with Denly caught behind by Steve Davies off Tim Linley for 17, 128-3 still 16 behind in bowler friendly conditions similar to the previous day, with similar results from the batsmen. Dawid Malan and Smith took Middlesex into the lead, and the lead to 20, before Murali Kartik from the Vauxhall End finally ended Smith's excellent resistance on 31, and had Malan caught at short leg for 22 a sharp catch from Rory Burns (who also got clopped on the head from a sweep shot), 171-5. This gave Middlesex's 2nd debutant in the match, Andy Balbirnie the opportunity to cover drive Kartik for four three times in four balls in the next over before Neil Dexter gave Kartik his third, edging to Jason Roy for 5, 186-6.
Balbirnie (14) and Steve Crook then fell in consecutive balls LBW to Gareth Batty before he caught Adam Rossington at cover off Kartik for another duck as Middlesex slumped to 188-9 having lost 4-2 in 25 balls. Tim Murtagh and Toby Roland-Jones then carted the total towards respectability as Murtagh planted Batty for six towards the pavilion as they brought up the 200 and forced Batty out of the attack. Murtagh was driving and lofting the ball well, until he tried one heave across the line too many and Rory Hamilton-Brown took a smart catch at midwicket, Middlesex 232 all out, the 44 runs for the last wicket giving them a lead of 88.
Murtagh started the 2nd innings by spraying a ball past Rossington for 5 wides, but Roland-Jones was better, and, having found the edge from Zafar Ansari (9 ball duck) watched as Sam Robson pulled off an amazing low catch to his left. Surrey then woke up, in (relatively) sunny conditions and Arun Harinath and Burns then saw off the opening bowlers before tucking into Smith, Balbirnie and Dexter as they reached 86-1 at the close, Harinath 39 and Burns on 40, only two behind with 9 wickets left.
Saturday, 1 September 2012
A Good Day
The first day of Surrey vs Middlesex at the Oval was something of an important game for both teams, with Surrey needing a win and Middlesex coming of the back of a thrashing by Sussex needing points to take them away from the relegation zone.
Gareth Batty won the toss and Surrey batted, and found themselves in huge trouble as Tim Murtagh and Toby Roland-Jones carved through the weak top order. Rory Burns (6) edged to Dawid Malan at first slip before Zafar Ansari (10) edged to championship debutant keeper Adam Rossington off Roland-Jones who, after a rain delay then had Zander De Bruyn (0) LBW and next over Rory Hamilton-Brown (2) missed a straight ball and lost his middle stump as Surrey slumped to 33-4. This then became 41-5 with Arun Harinath (14) LBW to give Roland-Jones his third. Steve Davies and Jason Roy tried to launch a recovery (interrupted by more rain) against Steve Crook and Neil Dexter, but Davies was undone by late swing from Dexter, flicking one through to Rossington for 16, which led to Roy starting to thump the ball around with more urgency as his partners failed, Batty left another inswinger from Dexter and was bang in front LBW for 9, 97-7. Murali Kartik had fun with Roy walloping the ball around until Murtagh returned to bowl him for 23 before cleaning up to take 3 wickets in seven balls, Tim Linley edged to Sam Robson at slip and Jade Dernbach LBW first ball to give Murtagh 5-37 and Surrey 144 all out (Roland-Jones 3-38), now for Middlesex to push for a good lead.
This they looked doing as Chris Rogers and Robson played under the now blue(ish) skies in easier conditions to play the 32 overs left as the Surrey attack looked lifeless with Dernbach and Linley bowling fairly badly, the 50 partnership coming up from Rogers in the 15th over off De Bruyn, Rogers then went to a 71-ball 50 before slowing up towards the close, only to be bowled by a Dernbach slower ball for 56 in the penultimate over with the score on 98, Middlesex closing 99-1, only 45 behind.
Gareth Batty won the toss and Surrey batted, and found themselves in huge trouble as Tim Murtagh and Toby Roland-Jones carved through the weak top order. Rory Burns (6) edged to Dawid Malan at first slip before Zafar Ansari (10) edged to championship debutant keeper Adam Rossington off Roland-Jones who, after a rain delay then had Zander De Bruyn (0) LBW and next over Rory Hamilton-Brown (2) missed a straight ball and lost his middle stump as Surrey slumped to 33-4. This then became 41-5 with Arun Harinath (14) LBW to give Roland-Jones his third. Steve Davies and Jason Roy tried to launch a recovery (interrupted by more rain) against Steve Crook and Neil Dexter, but Davies was undone by late swing from Dexter, flicking one through to Rossington for 16, which led to Roy starting to thump the ball around with more urgency as his partners failed, Batty left another inswinger from Dexter and was bang in front LBW for 9, 97-7. Murali Kartik had fun with Roy walloping the ball around until Murtagh returned to bowl him for 23 before cleaning up to take 3 wickets in seven balls, Tim Linley edged to Sam Robson at slip and Jade Dernbach LBW first ball to give Murtagh 5-37 and Surrey 144 all out (Roland-Jones 3-38), now for Middlesex to push for a good lead.
This they looked doing as Chris Rogers and Robson played under the now blue(ish) skies in easier conditions to play the 32 overs left as the Surrey attack looked lifeless with Dernbach and Linley bowling fairly badly, the 50 partnership coming up from Rogers in the 15th over off De Bruyn, Rogers then went to a 71-ball 50 before slowing up towards the close, only to be bowled by a Dernbach slower ball for 56 in the penultimate over with the score on 98, Middlesex closing 99-1, only 45 behind.
Friday, 13 April 2012
What Just Happened?
Arrived at Lords with Surrey playing on the 3rd day against Middlesex and being 161-5 in their 1st innings still 94 behind Middlesex and looking to push for the lead.
Surrey captain Rory Hamilton-Brown swung Corey Collymore into the Grand stand before edging a four of the next ball early in the day, but that was about as well as anyone batted for some time.
Chris Jordan was then bowled off the edge by Tim Murtagh before Batty was squared up by Collymore for Joe Denly to take a diving catch at point. Jon Lewis and Hamilton-Brown brought up the 200 when Toby Roland-Jones had HB lbw for 35. Lewis then heaved Dexter just over Collymore at mid-on before hitting one to Murtagh at mid-off. The End came with Jade Dernbach edging RJ to Gareth Berg at gully, Surrey 222 all out trailing by 34.
In reply Lewis opened the bowling with Zander De Bruyn and De Bruyn quickly enticed Denly to play a horrible hack outside off stump to go for 5, 21-1. After lunch, De Bruyn got Chris Rogers caught by Steve Davies for 4 playing a similarly awful shot, 29-2. Dawid Malan then joined Sam Robson and they moved the total along with comparative ease to 65 when Dernbach then clipped the off-bail of Malan on 13. Robson (43) then fell LBW in Dernbach's next over and Neil Dexter departed 3 balls later Middlesex were now 76-5 only 110 ahead. Berg then gave Lewis his 2nd wicket and Batty his 2nd catch to go for 1. John Simpson was then unluckily run out by Lewis in his follow through for a 27 ball 9. Murtagh brought up the 100 off Chris Jordan before Lewis then blasted out Ollie Rayner (7), Roland-Jones (6) and Collymore (0) to finish with 5-41 as Middlesex were bundled out for 106 leaving Surrey needing 141 to win in 4 sessions.
Roland-Jones got the first wicket in the 6th over trapping Jacques Rudolph LBW for 6 before the catch of the day in the next over. Davies (8) cut a short ball from Murtagh towards point where Denly then flung himself to his right to take a cracking catch, 14-2. Mark Ramprakash looked like a man at the end of his career as he and De Bruyn scratched around for 5 overs when Ramprakash edged Roland-Jones very low where Malan dived forward at first slip and took the catch, Ramps wasn't happy to go, but was sent on his way. 22-3 and Surrey looked in a bit of trouble only for Hamilton-Brown to again start hitting out against the bowling. They hauled down the runs required before a loose cut from De Bruyn on 15 gave Rogers a surprise catch at cover, 68-4. HB wasn't about to start blocking and, with a fair slice of luck, he went to his 50 from 49 balls a great innings given the circumstances. Tom Maynard drove a nice four then edged another away before Dexter missed a return catch off him. The last ball before bad light stopped play, Berg couldn't quite cling onto another caught and bowled chance from Maynard as Surrey, not happy to go off, finished 97-4 only needing another 44 to win in a tough game where 19 wickets fell and everyone batted at least once.
Surrey captain Rory Hamilton-Brown swung Corey Collymore into the Grand stand before edging a four of the next ball early in the day, but that was about as well as anyone batted for some time.
Chris Jordan was then bowled off the edge by Tim Murtagh before Batty was squared up by Collymore for Joe Denly to take a diving catch at point. Jon Lewis and Hamilton-Brown brought up the 200 when Toby Roland-Jones had HB lbw for 35. Lewis then heaved Dexter just over Collymore at mid-on before hitting one to Murtagh at mid-off. The End came with Jade Dernbach edging RJ to Gareth Berg at gully, Surrey 222 all out trailing by 34.
In reply Lewis opened the bowling with Zander De Bruyn and De Bruyn quickly enticed Denly to play a horrible hack outside off stump to go for 5, 21-1. After lunch, De Bruyn got Chris Rogers caught by Steve Davies for 4 playing a similarly awful shot, 29-2. Dawid Malan then joined Sam Robson and they moved the total along with comparative ease to 65 when Dernbach then clipped the off-bail of Malan on 13. Robson (43) then fell LBW in Dernbach's next over and Neil Dexter departed 3 balls later Middlesex were now 76-5 only 110 ahead. Berg then gave Lewis his 2nd wicket and Batty his 2nd catch to go for 1. John Simpson was then unluckily run out by Lewis in his follow through for a 27 ball 9. Murtagh brought up the 100 off Chris Jordan before Lewis then blasted out Ollie Rayner (7), Roland-Jones (6) and Collymore (0) to finish with 5-41 as Middlesex were bundled out for 106 leaving Surrey needing 141 to win in 4 sessions.
Roland-Jones got the first wicket in the 6th over trapping Jacques Rudolph LBW for 6 before the catch of the day in the next over. Davies (8) cut a short ball from Murtagh towards point where Denly then flung himself to his right to take a cracking catch, 14-2. Mark Ramprakash looked like a man at the end of his career as he and De Bruyn scratched around for 5 overs when Ramprakash edged Roland-Jones very low where Malan dived forward at first slip and took the catch, Ramps wasn't happy to go, but was sent on his way. 22-3 and Surrey looked in a bit of trouble only for Hamilton-Brown to again start hitting out against the bowling. They hauled down the runs required before a loose cut from De Bruyn on 15 gave Rogers a surprise catch at cover, 68-4. HB wasn't about to start blocking and, with a fair slice of luck, he went to his 50 from 49 balls a great innings given the circumstances. Tom Maynard drove a nice four then edged another away before Dexter missed a return catch off him. The last ball before bad light stopped play, Berg couldn't quite cling onto another caught and bowled chance from Maynard as Surrey, not happy to go off, finished 97-4 only needing another 44 to win in a tough game where 19 wickets fell and everyone batted at least once.
Tuesday, 29 March 2011
And So it Begins
Finally, the season is here! First match, Surrey vs Middlesex, in March, at The Oval.
Arrived at lunch due to general train lateness with Surrey 99-4 and Tim Murtagh having 3 wickets. After lunch Hamilton-Brown and Wilson batted fairly easily against Steve Crook and Murtagh until Murtagh had Hamilton-Brown well caught at slip b Dexter for 34 and in the same over had Gary Wilson caught at point by Robson for 15, 121-6. Murtagh had five and wasn't done yet, he then had Chris Jordan lbw and finished the over having Meaker caught at point by Robson to leave Surrey in touble at 130-8 with Murtagh having 7-41. Batty and Tom Jewell were the unlikely saviours of the innings and found the bowling of Tom Parsons and Berg easier than Murtagh and moved the score on fairly easily with the bowling looking a bit rusty to 183-8 at tea. The only real chance being a missed stumping by Simpson off Tom Smith.
After tea, Ben Scott took over keeping duties, and Ollie Rayner, bowling from the Vauxhall end finally bowled Batty for 34 going for a big shot. Crook was unlucky to have Linley then dropped at slip before Rayner finished off the innings with Berg catching Linley at midwicket for 2 to finish with 2-27, 210 all out. This left Middlesex with 30 overs before close.
Even 30 overs was enough time to dig a large hole for Middlesex as Newman (bowled Meaker for 6), Robson (lbw Meaker 10) and Simpson (lbw Linley 4) were all sent packing to leave MIddlesex 23-3. Housego and captain Dexter then led the recovery, aided by the introduction of Dunn and Jordan to the attack to take the score past 100. However, Gareth Batty got Dexter and then Berg before close to leave Middlesex with some work to do at 113-5, Housego still there on 27.
The Middlesex bowlers looked ok, Murtagh being most excellent, it is the batting that is more worrying, with a top order collapse being remarkably similar to last year, hopefully someone other than Dexter will find form by the time the actual season begins.
Arrived at lunch due to general train lateness with Surrey 99-4 and Tim Murtagh having 3 wickets. After lunch Hamilton-Brown and Wilson batted fairly easily against Steve Crook and Murtagh until Murtagh had Hamilton-Brown well caught at slip b Dexter for 34 and in the same over had Gary Wilson caught at point by Robson for 15, 121-6. Murtagh had five and wasn't done yet, he then had Chris Jordan lbw and finished the over having Meaker caught at point by Robson to leave Surrey in touble at 130-8 with Murtagh having 7-41. Batty and Tom Jewell were the unlikely saviours of the innings and found the bowling of Tom Parsons and Berg easier than Murtagh and moved the score on fairly easily with the bowling looking a bit rusty to 183-8 at tea. The only real chance being a missed stumping by Simpson off Tom Smith.
After tea, Ben Scott took over keeping duties, and Ollie Rayner, bowling from the Vauxhall end finally bowled Batty for 34 going for a big shot. Crook was unlucky to have Linley then dropped at slip before Rayner finished off the innings with Berg catching Linley at midwicket for 2 to finish with 2-27, 210 all out. This left Middlesex with 30 overs before close.
Even 30 overs was enough time to dig a large hole for Middlesex as Newman (bowled Meaker for 6), Robson (lbw Meaker 10) and Simpson (lbw Linley 4) were all sent packing to leave MIddlesex 23-3. Housego and captain Dexter then led the recovery, aided by the introduction of Dunn and Jordan to the attack to take the score past 100. However, Gareth Batty got Dexter and then Berg before close to leave Middlesex with some work to do at 113-5, Housego still there on 27.
The Middlesex bowlers looked ok, Murtagh being most excellent, it is the batting that is more worrying, with a top order collapse being remarkably similar to last year, hopefully someone other than Dexter will find form by the time the actual season begins.
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