It was a brutal display from the two young tyros at the top of the order. In compiling 190 for the first wicket they racked up the third largest partnership for any wicket in this year's tournament but it didn't stop there. I'm not 100% convinced that shifting Stewart Walters and Matt Spriegel up the order was the best move, I think Jason Roy could legitimately feel peeved that he didn't get a look in, but it didn't seem to make much difference tonight. Ramprakash and Spriegel put on an extremely impressive partnership - slogging this was not - the pair of them notched really classy and impressive 50s. Given the full 40 overs Ramprakash probably would have completed a remarkable hundred.
As Glamorgan came out to attempt a response the run rate required was above 10 before they'd even begun, this was a task beyond even the flashing blade of Mark Cosgrove, though he gave it a good crack as ever. It looked as though the rain might save them and cruelly deny Surrey, but as the skies brightened and the Surrey groundstaff diligently worked to get the place fit for play it was clear that a game would be possible.
The bowling was not quite of the class that the batsmen displayed, but it was a flat pitch and the Glamorgan batsmen had license to hit out. The fielding display wasn't the greatest (though better than Glamorgan's woeful effort), Jason Roy, usually such a reliable fielder had a mare this evening, dropping two relatively easy chances and Gary Wilson shelled another. Of the bowlers Chris Tremlett was easily the best, his first three overs went for just five runs and he picked up a wicket for good measure.
New signing Steven Cheetham was poor this evening, a great many long hops and just generally well short of the required level. To be fair to him he probably hasn't had much competitive cricket of late and it wasn't an ideal situation to come in and bowl your first four overs for the club. Still, I'd have expected them to go for less than 60. What news of Tim Linley and Stuart Meaker? If they aren't injured the decision to play Cheetham instead is confusing.
The performance with the bat tonight was exceptional. In Davies and Hamilton-Brown we have on our hands two of the brightest young batting talents in English cricket and I am genuinely excited about our prospects with those two in the top order. Another cracking win in the CB40 and we're right in the mix. Yes, of course its frustrating how we can go from crushing Northants to being crushed by Middlesex to crushing Glamorgan, all in the space of a fortnight, but we should take this win for what it is, a fantastic performance. Well played tonight lads.
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Great performance. "On our day" now needs to become "on a regular basis" and we'll be alright!
Precisely! I don't think any of us is silly enough to expect that sort of performance week in, week out, but consistent high level performances are required. Fingers crossed we get them!
Intimidating and jaw-dropping performance by Surrey. Rory is a real jack-in-the-box, sometimes you can't even see him and a couple of days later he goes totally berserk. Well, punishing Dalrymple for his poor decision and the mediocre bowling was compulsory and Surrey got right in. Ramps wanted to force a century, didn't he? :P
Cossy rules.
Cheers,
Wes
~ Play For Country Not For Self ~
It was one of the most impressive displays of batting (and terrible fielding) I've seen, and Tremlett's bowling first up was very good too, both he and Dernbach were allegedly up and around 90mph. The Glamorgan bowling was awful, make no mistake, but it was some savage batting which forced them to make mistakes. Very pleased with that! Given the extra two overs Ramps probably would've got his hundred, he deserved it for that display!
Cossy does rule, but no man is an island (though he's doing his best...).
Yeah I thought, too, that with 40 available overs you would have passed 400 easily and Ramps would have got his ton. Was a bit of a shame.
Cheers,
Wes
~ Play For Country Not For Self ~
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