Thursday 16 May 2013

Notts surge ahead on day two

Another full day's play, another dispiriting batting performance by a large proportion of the Surrey contingent. Nottinghamshire ended the day 24 for 1, a lead of 91 runs with two days remaining.

Surrey started the day well as Jade Dernbach took just three balls to remove Harry Gurney without adding to the overnight score. 274 all out. It was a massive relief that the Notts tail was not allowed to add to the already excessive accumulation from last night. The total wasn't out of sight but it nonetheless required some sensible batting from Surrey to remain competitive.

By and large, that didn't happen. Rory Burns got another good delivery early in his innings and was caught behind for four. He was joined just a few balls later as Luke Fletcher beat Jason Roy's unfortunately tentative forward defensive to clean bowl him. Surrey were 9-2 and already deep in trouble. Vikram Solanki completely misjudging a Fletcher delivery that kept a touch low didn't help matters as he fell leg before to leave his side 27-3.

The procession continued through the morning session and Zander de Bruyn was the next man out. With his score on nine he played at a Paul Franks delivery he probably could have left but presented the edge and was caught at second slip. 47-4 became 49-5 on the stroke of lunch as Steven Davies aimed an injudicious fling at a wide delivery going wider only to also be caught at slip.

With the side still 225 runs behind and half the batsman accounted for it will not have been an easy lunch. After the break Arun Harinath extended his long vigil, but not by long enough. He threw his bat at a decent delivery to give Ajmal Shahzad his first wicket. It was a waste as his 24 runs had taken him 104 deliveries and roughly two and a half hours to compile. Not to mention that Surrey were still 50+ runs shy of the follow on target. Gary Wilson and Gareth Batty gave a much better account of themselves as they put on a determined 81 run partnership to first see Surrey past the follow on and then towards a semblance of respectability. Their innings were ended just four overs apart as first Wilson was caught behind off Samit Patel for 49 and then Batty was stumped off the same bowler for 41.

With the score on 152 and only the bowlers to come we could have been forgiven for giving up hope. However a tail end that had batted so insipidly against Durham instead managed to cobble together 46 very useful runs today. By the time Jade Dernbach was caught by Franks off the bowling of Shahzad to end the Surrey innings the deficit had been reduced to 66. With the bounce varying on the odd delivery perhaps having to bat last was also worth 20 or 30 extra runs for Notts. Surrey were very definitely second best. It surely cannot be a coincidence that since Graeme Smith's departure the "soft" dismissals have made something of a comeback. The Notts bowling today was certainly disciplined, but a few of the batsmen will know they got themselves out.

The Nottinghamshire second innings began as the first had done...slowly. Just 19 runs came off the first ten overs and when Meaker was introduced into the attack in the 11th he made the breakthrough, bowling Alex Hales for 17. It was a welcome wicket and we're likely to need Meaker to have a significant say tomorrow to have any chance in this game. However with the lead already approaching 100 and Notts' best batsmen still yet to come, Surrey may need to rely on some Saturday rain to rescue them.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

same ole same ole - Pathetic Surrey will lose again. this has been happening for a few seasons now, where will need a few wins with only a few games to go.

Relegation beckons as yet again we have opposition losing 6/7 wickets below 200 and they go on to score another 90 or more..

Get the ex players out that are coaching as it hasn't worked since butcher n butcher which was nepotism gone mad

GreenJJ said...

Its been a disappointing day and a bit that's for sure. We do seem to have a problem with killing off teams, have done for a while. The difference between good and great teams is that killer instinct. Problem is we're not even a good team at the moment.

Anonymous said...

mmmm..At best, just an average 4 day side for the last few years, not much better at 2020 either. Best form for cricket has been the 40over format, we are quite decent at that.

To open with Roy is gross mismanagement as he is useless. Batsmen were poor yesterday and I see we are yet gain heading the extras league..incredible

Punter ain't gonna save us as well past his best. Def agree with job for the boys statement.. Get rid of ex surrey as coaches cos it's not working and will never.

GreenJJ said...

I agree that as a four day side we've been average (at best), the only time we looked good was that run of four games when Ojha ran the show.

I don't agree that Roy is useless, he's not the best four day player at the moment but the guy is talented, I genuinely believe he can cut it but he's being batted out of position.

I hope you're wrong about Ponting, he did a fine job in the Sheffield Shield and we REALLY need him to replicate that in the Championship or we're properly screwed.

As for "jobs for the boys"...well, something ain't working at the moment and I know who I think should be held accountable.

Surrey Lion said...

Some good comments here, but Roy had gone again for 5. Very poor indeed, but he is no doubt talented, but at limited over/s format.

I would agree he should not open and bat number 3 will soon follow. Surely Adams must realise that, not exactly rocket science is it.

And yes, the extras situation does not seem to have improved - will it ever? Time will tell whether Punter will succeed, bloody well hope so. Fingers crossed we can chase down 259.

GreenJJ said...

Bit worried by how much faith we're having to put in Ponting being a success already!

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