Everything that had failed to click in unison in the first four of Surrey's Twenty20 games, spectacularly clicked into place tonight in front of a packed house at Lord's. Its a shame we couldn't have done it in front of the home fans, but I'll take it!
Jason Roy didn't start the game as I had hoped, Matt Spriegel missed out and Stewart Walters was drafted in. This meant the twin spin of Batty and Schofield again, but the batting was a little stronger. Middlesex chose to bat first and we were at them from the word go. Tremlett bowled well to return 1-20, the important wicket of Dexter his one scalp. Andre Nel was more expensive and less impressive, but he did pick up David Warner. The only real concern was the apparent injury to Jade Dernbach who went off after bowling 1.3 overs apparently with a side injury - not good for a bowler. Jade has been a key part of our attack so to lose him would be a big blow.
Pick of the bowlers though was Batty, who at long last bowled his full four over spell and picked up 4-23 including Gilchrist who was curiously subdued in his 12 from 12 balls, three of his wickets were towards the tail end but he bowled well nonetheless. Andrew Symonds chipped in beautifully with the ball with 2-8. For once it was the opposition who failed to muster a partnership, the final wicket pair of Shah and Collins notching their highest pairing with 25.
128 looked well below par and at last Surrey were ruthless in making it look so. Davies again played some nice shots but got out when well set on 20, caught off the slow left arm bowling of Tom Smith. But thereafter it was all Surrey. Hamilton-Brown played beautifully, he took it upon himself to be the aggressor but never looked reckless, he more than deserved to hit the winning runs and end 73* off just 49 balls. Ramprakash played extremely well too with a beautifully paced 36, precisely what was needed in the circumstances.
This is what our players are capable of. Tonight, at long last, we looked the sum of our considerable parts and the captain fully deserves all the praise I hope he gets. If we can take this form into tomorrow and then Sunday we'll be well back on track. Well played boys.
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5 comments:
Why???? :(
I think because it was local derby, the Surrey players bucked up while the Middlesex players, aware of the former, got twitchy and crumbled like a sand castle. Very poor performance of the boys, not unexpected, but that didn't make it any less shocking. Can't hate Rory/Schofield, but Symonds taking 2 is a scandal.
Enjoy your weekend!
Cheers,
Wes
~ Play For Country Not For Self ~
Well certainly our lads turned up for once, Middlesex were poor in light of their recent performances. That's the first time Symonds has really showed up with the ball, now he needs to contribute with the bat and he'll start to prove his worth. One thing I didn't highlight in the review was the fielding, we were very sharp last night.
You have a nice weekend too Wes!
Great stuff. Back-to-back wins is now key. If this lot can get on a roll it could get interesting. Looking forward to the game - and hoping it's wrapped up in time to get back for the football!
Any word on Dernbach?
We really do have to capitalise now, if they get some confidence in themselves - the key element that's been missing - there's no stopping this lot. If they were to lose tonight though you sense it'd be another case of 1 step forward 2 steps back (or perhaps more generously, 2 steps forward, 1 back!), so we have to avoid that at all costs! A Surrey win folowed by an England win would make for an excellent start to the weekend!
No word on Dernbach, I've heard side and rib rumours, neither of which is much good. The fact he only bowled half his second over was curiously airbrushed from the official match reports! It'd be really sad for Jade if it puts him out of the T20s, he's come on a lot this year, fingers crossed!
As I told you yesterday, the pinks are pants and would buckle under the onslaught of a triumphant of Surry.
And you doubted me...for shame...
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