Richardson dominates on another affected day

Alan Richardson has claimed figures of 5-42 for Worcestershire on day 2 of the LVCC Division One match at the Kia Oval, with Surrey closing on 123-7, on another weather affected day.

Even though the whole first day was washed out, the toss still took place, and Worcestershire won it and stuck Surrey in. Chris Adams had brought in Jason Roy for Jacques Rudolph, and Stuart Meaker for Tim Linley.

When the players finally got out there this morning, it was Roy who opened, alongside Steven Davies. Roy started off in typical fashion, finding the boundary with regular occurrence, and making batting look relatively comfortable. However, Davies wasn’t finding it as easy, and struggled to score freely as Surrey fans know he can, up against some tight bowling from Alan Richardson. Roy was ticking along at over a run a ball, and was dominating the opening stand. But, with the partnership on 48, Roy was trapped in front for 38 by Richardson. A good start by Roy, but a shame he couldn’t pose a more sizeable score.

Mark Ramprakash joined Davies, but in Richardson’s next over, Surrey’s keeper fell for 15, when he was caught behind. And Ramps’ terrible form continued, when he pushed at a ball from Richard Jones, and was caught in the slips for just 1. Once again a failure from Ramps, who doesn’t seem to be getting any better, and if he carries on in this fashion, he will get dropped when Rudolph returns, with Roy keeping his place. Batting wasn’t easy out there though, and the in form RHB was caught behind for just 3, to leave his side 59-4. An early lunch was taken due to rain, Surrey 60-4.

Straight after the break, Surrey were 5 down. Zander de Bruyn drove at a ball from Richardson, and was caught in the slips region for 6. Tom Maynard and Chris Jordan had a big job on their hands, knowing that if one of them got out, there wouldn’t be much batting left. The Welshman played in his typical manner though, seemingly dealing in boundaries only, and was well supported by the Barbadian. The partnership had reached 48, and the score 117, when the rain returned.

After several inspections, the players finally got out in the middle at quarter past 5. However, it was a poor session for the hosts, in which they lost Maynard and Jordan, both to Richardson. 6 runs were added for the loss of 2 wickets before the rain returned with Surrey 123-7.

That was the last action of the day, a day dominated by the visitors, and in particular Alan Richardson. Meaker and Batty are the not out batsman, and will be looking to get Surrey up and above 150 tomorrow morning. However, with the way things have gone, that won’t be easy.