Worcester escape with a draw

In answer to the question I posed yesterday, it seemed that Surrey neither went for the win or played for the draw.  A disciplined bowling effort from Worcs meant that wickets fell regularly in Surrey's second innings, but in the end thanks largely to Ramps and Davies (how many times will I have to say that this season) they racked up enough to post a total Worcester might fancy chasing.

In the end 268 was far too much on a fourth day pitch and Surrey bowled well - everyone contributed bar Rao who didn't get an over.  Surrey ended just two wickets short as they ran out of time.  This has been a vastly improved performance - big first innings runs and a fighting performance thereafter.  A little bit more bite was required when bowling in Worcs' first innings - an overseas spinner would've made bigger inroads I'm sure, but otherwise it was a good all round improvement.

Rory Hamilton-Brown's captaincy was questionable in the first innings but I liked the way he rotated the bowlers particularly towards the end of the match, it ensured the Worcs batsmen had no opportunity to settle.  The form of Nel was encouraging though he didn't collect a hatful of wickets, Dernbach took a while to find some rhythm but he's starting to look a little better.  Rao still doesn't look a matchwinner and if you're only going to give your overseas player 18 overs in a match you have to question why he's there at all.

I would still advocate going with a four man attack, because we have some good part-time options, but I'm not seeing many batsmen knocking on the door. Walters was poor in both innings and I wouldn't be surprised to see Spriegel back and young Laurie Evans may well get a chance given his form for the Seconds.

Its onwards and upwards from here, we've stopped the rot and hopefully the players will have a bit more confidence about them for the next round of games.  Well played lads.