It seems I underestimated one G. Wilson. I wouldn't have selected him for this game, instead I would've given Spriegel a chance to recapture some kind of form. But in doing so, I would've been wrong and today Wilson proved me wrong in fine style, finishing the day unbeaten just six short of his maiden first class hundred.
Surrey as a whole ended the day 353-4, Mark Ramprakash delivering his fifth ton of the season (one more than the rest of the squad combined), he ended the day 179 not out and only 21 runs shy of a third double hundred of the season. He truly is a remarkable cricketer.
Earlier in the day things didn't look so rosy though, we were sent in to bat under gloomy skies with Matthew Hoggard at the end of his run up preparing to do battle with our top order. Initially he won that battle, removing Lancefield and Harinath cheaply to leave Surrey reeling at 11-2. Rory Hamilton-Brown came to the crease and played the only way it seems he knows how, his counter-attacking 36 from 37 would've looked foolish if it wasn't for Messrs Wilson and Ramprakash later in the day.
Steve Davies was more circumspect in his 19 from 58 balls and put on 60 with Ramps. When he was out with the score on 134 we could've folded and I for one thought we would. However Wilson showed plenty of fight (and no little talent I'm sure!) in forming an impressive 217 run partnership with Ramprakash.
Before this game Wilson, 24 years old, had scored 340 runs in 19 First Class innings at an average of exactly 20, he's already upped that to 25 and to give him his due this season he's delivered whenever called upon.
The weather over Grace Road this morning was good for swing bowlers and Hoggard will have been relishing the chance to bowl. However the wickets of Harinath and Lancefield aside he hardly had a field day. His new ball partner Nathan Buck went wicketless and at four runs an over (another victim of the Surrey Cricket Blog curse - he's this week's Player of the Week!). Wayne White had an even worse day, his 10 overs cost the team 60 runs.
This was Surrey's day and they will be looking to get the 47 runs they need for full batting bonus in the 14 overs before the bonus cut-off kicks in. Once Wilson has his hundred I am sure he will look to score quickly and this is an ideal platform for Jason Roy to come in and make his mark on Championship debut. I sincerely hope Ramprakash continues on his merry way.
Unfortunately looking at the forecast Wilson and Roy might have to wait until Thursday to do so.
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3 comments:
Well done to Gary Wilson - but once again MR Ramprakash was the difference. As Adams has acknowledged a few weeks ago, when Ramps bats for 3 sessions we to well.
It is when he doesn't that we struggle.
Still a good day, I really thought we were going to be in trouble when Davis was out.
As for R H-B he is only 22 and captaining which has it's own destractions - plus he must have serious talent to be able to smash the ball around like he does. The question is, how long will it take for the penny will drop for him to look at Ramps and realise how many more runs he could (should) score. His problems are definitely between his ears.
He should take some time out to read DR Jardine's book on cricket (first published in 1936) - he makes it very clear that the biggest failing in batsmen is a lack of concentration.
Nothing has changed.
That is absolutely the point Chappers - he has talent to burn, he has to look at Wilson, who as talented as he may be isn't as good as Hamilton-Brown in terms of cricketing ability, and thought "if Wilson can get 94 how many could I have got?". It is abundantly clear to anyone who's watched him that this lad is some player, and if he can just learn to sit tight for a bit he'll score bags of runs. If he doesn't, he's destined to go through his career with an average of 25 at a strike rate of 125.
What can we say about Ramps? He's a machine, absolutely brilliant.
p.s. I think this is a big couple of weeks for Chris Tremlett. There is a bit of momentum behind him in the press indicating that he needs some winter sunshine, starting in November. If he can bowl Surrey to a couple of wins, he may need to buy some sun cream (none needed in England at the moment). It will be important for him to concentrate on the job in hand and let his "holiday invitations" take care of themselves.
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