Surrey Specsavers CC1 at the Oval Loss

Day 3

SURREY DESTROY NOTTS, AGAIN!

As expected Surrey cleaned Notts out today as the Green and Gold offered very little resistance succumbing to an emphatic innings and 125 run loss by 1408 this afternoon. It was very much men against boys as Notts lost their remaining 8 wickets for 66 runs in just 30 overs. Notts feeble batting order, Brathwaite apart had no answer to Morkel, Curran, McKerr and Clarke as Surrey grabbed the easiest of victories. Brathwaite got to 60 off 149 balls (7 x 4) but was hit on the head for the second time in the game by a bumper and was out shortly afterwards. Moores managed to last 55 balls, the rest did not hang around as the Surrey bowlers continued to get life out of the wicket which Notts without Jake Ball failed to obtain. Presumably Mullaney will come in for Root for the Yorkshire game and maybe a place could found for either Blatherwick or Footitt as Gurney bowled in a mediocre fashion throughout the Surrey innings. Notts batting is currently a shambles with too many batsman either out of form or seemingly not good enough to face first division bowling. The signing of Slater is certainly a surprise; is a man with just three tons in 66 first class matches at an average 30 likely to score runs in the top flight? Only time will tell, but Notts based on current form appear to strong relegation candidates with last 3 games all lost by huge margins.

In bright sunshine, Virdi bowled a solitary over from the Pavilion End but then Curran returned, Patel hit a boundary to bring the 100 up in the 30th over. Brathwaite got to his 50 with an edged four off Morkel (Vauxhall). Patel never looked in and after 30 minutes play was absolutely plumb leg before to Morkel for 15, 109 for three. Root fell first ball caught behind off the rampant Morkel, 109 for four. Morkel narrowly missed his hat trick, Wessels not quite getting getting the edge. Wessels was all at sea, so it was no surprise when he finally edged McKerr to Foakes for a 12 ball duck, 111 for five. There was an eight minutes stoppage as Brathwaite was hit on the head by McKerr. The blow did him no good as a waft outside off stump saw his downfall caught by Foakes off McKerr for 60, 122 for six. A nasty ball from Clarke reared up into Wood's gloves, cue another long break in play. Wood (5) was caught in the gully by Ollie Pope off the returning Morkel,a good catch diving to his right, 132 for seven. A ridiculous mix up saw Fletcher run out for 1, all  verbal contact between him and Moores appeared to be lost in translation, 135 for eight. Notts got to lunch on 148 for eight Moores 20 not out and Milnes 3 not out. The end was nigh.

Ten minutes after lunch Moores (20) edged Curran and Foakes took a good catch diving to his left, his ninth of the match 148 for nine. Gurney then got a single. Next over Gurney skied McKerr and was caught by Virdi at mid on. Notts 149 all out off 61 overs. Milnes not out 3. McKerr 4 for 26 and Morkel 3 for 39. The championship appears to be a one horse race. MAG
Day 2

SHAMBOLIC NOTTS BATTING HANDS SURREY ADVANTAGE

Notts are heading for another heavy defeat after yet another first innings disaster at The Oval today. Having been bowled out for calamitous 101 they were asked to follow on and closed on 83 for two still trailing by 191 runs. Surrey's tall seam attack obtained much more life out of the wicket than their Notts counterparts as Notts first innings only lasted 31.4 overs. First innings batting is a continual problem for Notts as they slide further towards the relegation zone. Once again Kraigg Brathwaite in the second innings showed he could occupy the crease having faced 100 balls so far. In the Notts first innings only Tom Moores could exceed Virdi's 19 (Surrey's renowned rabbit) as he chose to come a long way out of his crease to face the Surrey pace attack. Too many batsman were guilty of playing poor shots in the very poor batting effort.

Surrey consolidated their match position in bright sunshine adding 119 runs to their overnight total off 31.3 overs. Patel juggling his bowlers to no avail. Off the fifth ball of the morning Mark Stoneman hit an offside four off Gurney to reach his ton off 196 balls. The new ball was taken at 80 overs by Fletcher (Vauxhall) and Wood (Pavilion). Milnes having bowled the opening two overs from the Pavilion End. A four for Curran off Fletcher meant the 50 partnership for the seventh wicket was achieved in 14 overs. Wood only bowled two overs and then on came Harry Gurney. The third batting point for Surrey came up in the 87th over. Fletcher after a four over spell made way for Gurney. A short ball from Milnes saw Tom Curran (43) attempt a hook shot but it was too high on him and the ball went to Root at long leg who took the catch running in and low down, 309 for seven. The seventh wicket had added 84. Gurney also picked a wicket with a bumper. Morkel (5) turning round only had one hand on the bat and he fended the ball to Milnes at long leg, 315 for 8. Wood replaced Milnes to bowl the 97th over. Three overs later Patel brought himself on. Stoneman averaging 21 prior to the match in the championship with a top scorer of 86 at TB was finally out caught behind by Moores off Wood for 144 (260 balls, 18 x 4), 340 for 9. The former Durham left hander has played 17 first class matches against Notts and has scored 1262 runs at an average of 48.53; his favourite opponents. A skied two for McKerr off Patel saw Surrey to batting point number 4. Milnes returned from the Vauxhall End. The tail enders were making hay as another large crowd were enjoying the fun. Virdi hit Patel for six over long on to reach a career best but was bowled next ball as Surrey 375 all out. McKerr 19 not out. Lunch was taken between the innings.

Session fron hell...
Morkel (Vauxhal) and Curran (Pavilion) opened the bowling. Slater (9) failed in his debut innings edging Curran to Clarke at second slip who knocked the ball up twice as Foakes caught his parry, 12 for one. In his next over Tom Curran had Brathwaite plumb leg before for 2, 13 for two. Patel (5) edged Morkel for 4 but departed leg before next ball to the South African, 20 for three. Libby (12) going for an expansive drive edged Curran to Ryan Patel at third slip, 38 for four. Root (6) not moving his feet edged McKerr into Foakes gloves, 39 for five. McKerr taking a wicket with first legimate ball, the first delivery being a wide. Moores and Wessels added 32 before a loose shot from Wessels (12) saw him caught at backward point by Jacks off McKerr, 70 for 6. McKerr got one to swing away and found the edge off Wood's bat as Foakes took the catch, 80 for seven. Wood gone for 8. Notts got to tea on 88 for seven off 28 overs with Moores on 22 and Fletcher on 3. An horrendous session for Notts.

Moores (29) cover drove McKerr for four but tried the same shot a couple of balls later and edged to Foakes, 101 for eight. Next over Foakes picked up his fifth catch as a waft from Fletcher (9) caught the edge off Tom Curran, 101 for 9. Gurney lasted two balls before his stumps were all a Kimbo, 101 all out off 31.4 overs. Curran 5 for 28. McKerr 3 for 21, Morkel 2 for 21. Surrey enforced the follow on leading by 274 runs.

Following on 

Morkel and Curran opened the bowling once more with 38 overs left in the day. In the third over a short ball from Morkel hit Brathwaite. The concussion protocol kicked in once more, this time a seven minutes stoppage. Morkel bowled a five over spell and was replaced by McKerr. Ben Slater got to 21 but then failing to move his feet edged McKerr to Clarke at second slip, 41 for one. Morkel returned for the 21st over. Ravi Patel came on from the Pavilion End. Surrey finally turned to spin as Virdi came on for the 28th over from the Pavilion End and he made the breakthrough as Libby was plumb leg before for 17, 78 for 2. Stumps were drawn shortly afterwards at 1903 with seven overs remaining. Notts were 83 for two after 31 overs with Brathwaite on 39 and Patel on 4. Another very poor day for the Green and Gold who must show much more mental strength in their first innings batting in their last three games to avoid relegation. The Yorkshire game seems pivotal. MAG
Day 1

STONEMAN HOLDS NOTTS UP

Surrey will be happier of the two teams after being inserted and closing the day on 256 for 6 off 76 overs. Mark Stoneman batted throughout the day to finish unbeaten one short of his ton. It was a chanceless innings. He was well supported by Foakes and Jacks who both made 48. Notts without Mullaney and Carter, bowled wholeheartedly but lacked any express bowler to cause serious damage. Surrey 36 for three at one stage recovered courtesy of stands of 90 for the fourth wicket and 78 for the fifth wicket. Notts will be looking to remove the last 4 wickets early tomorrow morning with the new ball due in four overs.

A much changed Notts inserted Surrey without a toss. Ben Slater made his Notts debut as Chris Nash is out for the season requiring a shoulder operation. Matt Carter was reported ill and with skipper Mullaney suffering a back spasm. Notts were captained for the first time by Samit Patel. Luke Wood also came into the eleven surprisingly preferred to the in form Footitt and Blatherwick. After heavy early morning rain, play started at 1215. A good crowd of a couple of thousand was in attendance. Fletcher (Vauxhall) and Wood (Pavilion) opened the bowling. In the ninth over, Fletcher got one to lift and found the edge of Burns bat, Moores taking the catch. The Surrey skipper out for 10, 18 for one. Wood bowled a five over spell for 11 including nine off his first over, he made way for Harry Gurney. Surrey got to lunch on 29 for one off 13 overs with Stoneman on 12 and Elgar on 7. Fletcher 7 overs 1 for 17.

After lunch, Wood replaced Fletcher from the Vauxhall End. Dean Elgar walked across his crease and fell leg before to Gurney for 8, umpire Grim Tim taking a long time to make the decision. Wood bowling well got one to move away from Ryan Patel and the left hander edged into Moores gloves, 36 for three. Patel out for a five ball duck. After a four over burst from Wood (4 0 10 1), Matt Milnes came on from the Vauxhall End. Milnes went for 13 off two overs, so captain Patel turned to Luke Fletcher. Stoneman and Foakes got to the 50 partnership in 10 overs as Surrey and Foakes in particular counter attacked to good effect. Milnes then switched to the Pavilion End. A leg side four off a short ball from Fletcher saw Surrey past 100 in the 29th over. A four through backward point saw Stoneman reached his 50 (80 balls) off Fletcher. Samit then brought himself on from the Pavilion End as the floodlights came on. Fletcher after 13 overs of hard toil went off with what appeared to be a groin injury. Foakes (48) got a bit bogged down Wood who came on for the temporarily incapacitated Fletcher got the Surrey keeper dismissed as a poor shot saw him cross bat the ball to Patel at mid on, 126 for 4. Boy wonder Will Jack hooked a short ball from Wood for six. Tea was taken at 1600 with Surrey 138 for four off 45 overs with Stoneman on 56 and Jacks on 11. Patel had bowled 6 4 4 0 in his spell before the interval. Patel bowling much better than of late.

The players returned in marginal light after tea with Patel (Pavilion) and Gurney (Vauxhall) bowling in tandem. Samit Patel after 13 overs for 17 took himself off and Luke Wood returned. Fletcher who had been on the field since tea returned for the 61st over. Gurney having bowled a mediocre spell of 7 overs for 33. An inside edge for Jacks saw Surrey to 200 in the 63rd over. The light now had improved considerably. Matt Milnes had only bowled five overs all day, Patel brought him back from the Pavilion End and with his second ball Jacks (48) inside edged him on to his stumps, 204 for five. Clarke had a lucky break when on 0 edging Fletcher between Brathwaite (2nd slip) and Root (third slip) neither fielder going for the catch. Fletcher's cry of anguish echoing round the ground. The second bowling point was achieved when Fletcher had Clarke plumb leg before for 14, 225 for six in the 69th over. Fletcher 6 2 24 1 in his spell. On came Gurney for the 73rd over. There was a 15 minute stoppage after Tom Curran was hit on the helmet from a ball by Milnes. Numerous replacement helmets being brought onto the field of play. All a bit faracial. Two overs later and with eight overs still to bowled umpires Robinson and O'Shaughnessy took the players off the bad light at 1840. Surrey 256 for 6 off 76 overs, Stoneman on 99 and Tom Curran on 12. MAG
Ollie Pope will now replace Will Jacks, having been released by England



After the disappointment of Monday, Notts must dust themselves down and be ready to take on the Champions-elect Surrey.

At the end of last month, in the reverse fixture, Surrey proved that they were a class above Notts beating the Green and Gold by an innings and 183 runs in a little over two days, Notts must show an improvement.

In the last round of championship games, Notts suffered a further defeat at Southampton heightening fears that we're entering an end of season slide, all too unwelcomely familiar to supporters...

Notts have announced their squad for the game; Chris Nash is absent, requiring an operation on his shoulder, his place being taken by new boy Ben Slater. No place for Mark Footitt who has taken 4 wickets today at Lady Bay (Jack Blatherwick bagged a 5-fer)

Jake Libby, 
Steven Mullaney (c), 
Ben Slater, 
Riki Wessels, 
Harry Gurney,
Luke Wood, 
Matt Milnes, 
Luke Fletcher, 
Matt Carter, 
Samit Patel, 
Tom Moores (wk), 
Billy Root
Kraigg Brathwaite.