Friday 11 May 2012

Surrey fightback but Worcester on top



Surrey have staged a fightback on day 2 of the LVCC Division One match against Worcestershire, finishing the day with a lead of 44 and 6 wickets in hand in their second innings, after being asked to follow on as they were skittled out for just 113. Unbeaten half centuries from Maynard and RHB have kept their side in the game.

Surrey got off to the worst possible start this morning when both Davies and Ramps fell within the space of two David Lucas overs, with Ramps out without scoring. Batting looked extremely difficult, even with the in-form Pietersen struggling, as he went for an unattractive 11. Hamilton- Brown and Maynard then both went for a duck, as Surrey found themselves 32-5. de Bruyn and Batty soon followed, and even the ever reliable Jon Lewis couldn’t muster up a typical innings, as Surrey were 43-8. Rudolph was still there though, and he and debutant Edwards took Surrey to lunch on 53-8.

Rudolph did what any batsman would do in this position, and upped the scoring rate, reaching his first half century for Surrey in the Championship, and adding some, but not much, respectability to the score. Edwards provided good company until he went for 17, and the last wicket was that of Rudolph for 68. Surrey had been bowled out for just 113.

We still trailed by over 150, so it was no surprise to see Rudolph and Davies come back out again 10 minutes later. Rudolph was the last man out in the first innings, but he was the first out in the second, as he played across the line and his stumps were disturbed by Richard Jones. Ramps soon followed, once again without scoring, to complete only his 3rd pair in his 26th year of First Class cricket, and first for 16 years. A few across twitter are calling for him to retire, and I have to agree with them, as, however much it pains and upsets me to say it, all he is doing is tarnishing a wonderful career.

Pietersen joined Davies, and second time around, batted like we all know he can. He played an array of attacking shots which were a joy to watch, as he struck the ball all around New Road including a big six off Moeen Ali’s second ball, straight back over his head. Surrey went to tea on 62-2, still trailing by 110.

Straight after tea, his assault continued, taking 18 off of one Cameron over, completing his first half century for Surrey this season. It had come up off just 49 balls, with 8 fours and a six. Davies went not long after though, for a patient 24. The skipper came to the crease, and showed Ramps just how to get off a pair, by hitting Jones for 4 boundaries off his first 5 deliveries. However, Jones had his eighth of the day, when Mitchell took a stunning catch to remove Pietersen for 69. A good knock from KP, but he got a bit bogged down and went trying to up his rate.

Maynard joined his skipper, and took over the scoring, batting in his typical manner of the sublime and sometimes ridiculous. The pair took Surrey to parity and into the lead; and after being 11-2, that’s not a bad effort. Not long after the partnership reached 50, so did Maynard, coming off just 48 balls with 8 boundaries. RHB then went to his half century, a more watchful knock, off 67 balls. He has now scored a half century in every second innings this season.

The pair took Surrey to 216-4 at the close, an unbeaten partnership of 91, and a lead of 44. It has been a good recovery from our guys, and have put themselves in with a chance of forcing a draw, or perhaps a victory. However, they shouldn’t get carried away, as Worcestershire still have a firm hold on the game and will be looking for early wickets in the morning.

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