Surrey Rothesay County Championship Div 1 at The Oval Win 19 pts Report

18/09

Day 4

MOPTASTIC NOTTS WIN AT THE OVAL

Notts need ten points from their final championship game to win the title after a fantastic and fully deserved 20 run victory over Surrey this afternoon at The Oval. After losing the toss they well and truly upset the odds and bowled superbly and batted determinedly throughout the game to beat the champions of the last three seasons. It was Surrey's first home defeat in 17 championship games - Lancashire winning by 123 runs in June 2023.

On a cloudy morning, Hutton (Vauxhall End) and Tongue opened the bowling. In the 20th over, Burns (45) was lbw shuffling across his crease to Tongue, 74 for 1. Pope had an uncertain start being beaten repeatedly  by Tongue and Hutton. In the 24th over, a short ball from Tongue shot up and went for five wides. Pope followed up with an edged four and an on driven boundary, 16 off the over. A cover driven boundary by Pope off Hutton brought up the Surrey 100 in the 25th over. Pennington replaced Tongue for the 28th over. Hutton got a much deserved wicket removing Sibley (25) caught by McCann diving to his left at second slip, 107 for 2 in the 29th over. James came on for the 33rd over and his first ball was hit for four through mid-wicket by Foakes. Pope and Foakes were accumulating many quick singles as the score steadily progressed. Pope just survived a run out attempt diving into the crease after Hameed hit the stumps with a direct hit. Tongue returned for James for the 41st over and it was the case of that's all Foakes (19) as the Surrey stumper edged to Patterson-White who took the catch low down at second slip off the third delivery of his new spell, 149 for 3. James immediately changed ends. Pope’s (41) fortuitous innings ended when he was very well caught by McCann diving to his right at second slip, 155 for 4 in the 42nd over. Surrey 163 for 4 off 44 overs at lunch with Lawrence on 9 and Patel on 0. Those two wickets just before lunch had tipped the game in Notts' favour.

Tongue and James remained on straight after lunch. Lawrence started to put bat to ball. Patel was dropped on 1 an easy chance to Verreynne's left off Tongue in the 47th over. A terrible shot from Patel (6) saw him loft James straight to Hameed at wide mid-on, 193 for 5 off 49 overs. 

Lawrence and Tom Curran went on the attack to tilt the balance of the game back in Surrey's favour adding 51 in 9 overs. Pennington returned for the 54th over, Lawrence pulling his first ball for a legside boundary. With the sun now shining bright, Curran then hit successive fours off Pennington, 17 off the over. Hutton replaced Tongue for the 57th over but was only given one over.

Hameed pulled a masterstroke by turning to Patterson-White for the 59th over in what turned out to be the sole over of spin in the match. Four runs came off his first three deliveries with Lawrence reaching his 50 off 53 balls with a single. Curran (33 off 33 balls, 5x4), had a sudden rush of blood to the head and charged Patterson-White and was stumped by Verreynne after he yorked himself, 244 for 6. The home support voiced their displeasure with Mr Curran in very vocal terms. Things got even better when next over, Lawrence (50 off 56 balls, 6x4) was leg before to Pennington, 246 for 7. Advantage Notts once more.

Atkinson and Lawes tipped the scales adding 31 for the 8th wicket, the tension within the crowd was now reaching unbearable levels.

After a single over, Patterson-White was replaced by Tongue who bowled one over for seven but being immediately replaced by Hutton, Lawes hitting him for two boundaries,  nine off the over. After a six over spell from Pennington , Tongue replaced him from the Pavilion End. Surrey now needed only 38 runs with three wickets left. But step forward the Mop. Atkinson (11) was caught by Patterson-White low down at first slip off Tongue, 277 for 8 in the 68th over. Fisher was all at sea against Tongue's pace. He somehow survived a leg before shout; the next ball also struck him on the pads. Before ball number three went for 4 leg byes off his shoulder. He departed fourth ball his middle stump cartwheeling out the ground after edging the delivery onto his stumps. Wicket number four for Tongue, 281 for 9 in the 68th over. Surrey still needed 34. Hutton conceded one off the 69th over. Hameed was setting some bizarre fields to Lawes and Worrall with most of the Notts fielders pushed back. Worrall not renowned for his batting. Lawes inside edged Tongue for four and then hit him for four through third man,  eight off the 70th over. A further four runs came off over 71 bowled by Hutton. Tea had been delayed when at 15:13,  Lawes (33) was facing Tongue and off the second ball of the 72nd over he middled Tongue but the ball went straight to Slater on the point ropes. Game over! Surrey 294 all out. Worrall one not out. Tongue had taken out the tail to finish with five for 100. He bowled with great stamina and speed and must have been well and truly cream crackered at the end. Hutton who played out of his skin the whole game somehow only picked up one wicket; on another day it could have been five; he repeatedly beat the bat.  Notts had won in Surrey for the first time since 2008, seven visits ago. 

A truly memorable game played in great spirit throughout. I wonder how many of the dunderheads at the ECB, who are determined to ruin 4 day cricket, were watching? And credit the  Surrey supporters and PA announcer for being so magnanimous in defeat. They well and truly market county cricket well at The Oval.

The only sour note was the one point Notts lost for a slow over rate. They now face fourth placed Warwickshire at Trent Bridge in their most crucial game in 15 years. Two bonus points plus a draw will suffice. MAG 

 

17/09

Day 3

SURREY TAKE FIRST STRIDES TOWARDS 315 TARGET BEFORE BAD LIGHT ENDS DAY

Only 26 overs were possible on a frustrating third day at the Oval. Surrey closed needing a further 249 runs with all their second innings wickets still standing.

A combination of bad light and very light drizzle took out the morning session.

Play got underway at 1310 with 24 overs lost with Fisher (Pavilion End) and Atkinson bowling. Notts managed to add a further 37 runs to their overnight score in ten overs. Fisher opened with a maiden. Hutton hit Atkinson for a boundary through point in the following over. Four singles came off the next three overs. Atkinson conceded ten off the 63rd over including a cover driven boundary for Hutton. Tongue (22) on drove Fisher for four but was caught behind by Foakes off Fisher's next delivery; 241 for 9 in the 64th over. Pennington hit his second delivery from Fisher for four through backward point. Hutton cover drove Fisher for a boundary in the 66rh over. Six balls later, Pennington (8) was bowled by Atkinson. Notts 256 all out off 67 overs, Hutton 42 not out (off 43 balls, 7x4) his second key contribution in the match with the willow. Fisher finished with innings figures of 6 for 73 with match figures of 11 for 134. Both career bests. He was well supported by Worrall who took 3 for 53 in the second Innings.

Surrey required 315 to win off 156 overs. Hutton (Vauxhall End) and Pennington shared the new ball. In the opening over, Hutton thought he had Sibley out caught down the legside by Verreynne,  but a very confident appeal was turned down. Pennington could not quite get his line right conceding nine in his last over including boundaries from both openers. He was replaced by Tongue for the 10th over having Burns dropped on 18 by Patterson-White at first slip. Burns was riding his luck played and missed on numerous occasions particularly against the unlucky Hutton. Surrey got to 50 in the 14th over via a four through midwicket by Burns off Tongue. After bowling seven overs for 23 Hutton was replaced by James. Tongue bowled two short pitch balls and the umpires came together and immediately took the players off for bad light at 1505. The home side with all the momentum, the Notts players probably happy to go off.

Surrey stood at 66 for 0 off 16 overs with Burns on 41 and Sibley on 18. Tea was immediately taken but the light never improved with play being called off at 1715. A dark cloudy morning is forecast tomorrow with the sun breaking through in the afternoon. With the wicket now playing easier, Surrey are now favourites but the pitch still has enough devil in it to keep the game interesting particularly if more overs are lost due to light issues. MAG

16/09

Day 2

SEVENTEEN WICKET ROLLER-COASTER DAY LEAVES NOTTS WELL PLACED

On a day of cricket that ebbed and flowed Notts finished the day well placed with a lead of 277 over Surrey with two second innings still standing.

On an Oval wicket with extravagant movement and inconsistent bounce, batting at times proved extremely problematic. On an uninterrupted roller-coaster day 17 wickets fell and 349 runs were scored. 

Pennington (Vauxhall End) and Tongue were bowling first thing in bright sunshine.  Overnight pair Burns and nightwatchman Lawes initially looked in little trouble. Hutton came on for the 26th over and with his first delivery had Burns dropped on 36 jumping upwards by McCann at second slip. James came on for the 29th over and in a sign of things came a delivery which moved alarmingly wrong footing keeper Verreynne and going for four byes. In the 33rd over, a loose drive from Lawes (22) off James saw him well caught low down to his left by Haynes in the covers, 101 for 2. From this careless moment came an avalanche of wickets where 14 of them fell for 125 runs, where seemingly from every ball the batsmen was in mortal danger of losing his wicket.

Next over, Burns (47) was plumb leg before to Hutton, 103 for 3 after 34 overs. Foakes (10) got a thick edge to James with Verreynne taking the catch moving to his right, 118 for 4 after 39 overs. Hutton had Lawrence on toast and a delivery from him popped up and Lawrence gently hit the ball to Tongue at mid on, 125 for 5 after 40 overs. Five balls later, Pope edged James to McCann at 2nd slip who grabbed the easy chance, 129 for 6. Pennington returned for the 44th over. Surrey got to lunch on 141 for 6 off 45 overs with Patel on 4 and Tom Curran on 8. Notts session taking 5 wickets in the hour leading up to break.

In the 47th over, the returning Tongue had Patel (4) leg before; 143 for 7. Tom Curran (11) departed in the following over leg before to Pennington,  150 for 8. Atkinson (5) edged Tongue to Verreynne who took the catch to his right,  162 for 9 in the 51st over. Fisher (13) hit Pennington for successive boundaries but was the last man to fall caught by McCann at second slip at the second attempt off the pacey Tongue. Surrey 173 off 52.2 overs with James 3 for 35 and Tongue 3 for 43. The last nine wickets had fallen for 72. Notts, on the backfoot an hour into Day 2, remarkably led by 52 after the first innings.

Worrall (Vauxhall End) and Atkinson opened the bowling. Slater (4) was bowled by an unplayable delivery from Worrall that kept low, 9 for 1 in the 5th over. Matt Fisher replaced Atkinson from the Pavilion End and took a wicket with his sixth delivery having Hameed lbw, 29 for 2 after 12 overs. Fisher picked another leg before decision in his following over removing Clarke for 1 - the ball appearing to be drifting down leg side; 37 for 3 in the 13th over. Haynes put away a leg stump half volley from Fisher to the square leg ropes off his first ball. His second ball was edged just short of the slip cordon. Fisher got his third leg before victim in successive overs having McCann out for 11, 42 for 4 in the 16th over. After bowling 8 overs 1 for 18 Worrall was replaced by Lawes - Haynes cover driving his first delivery for four. The next ball he edged for four. Haynes (16) played on for Fisher's fourth wicket in four overs, 53 for 5 in the 18th over. Notts well and truly on the ropes. James hit Fisher for four through cover. Next ball, Verreynne hit Lawes for six over mid wicket. After a five over spell from Fisher (5 for 16), Atkinson came on James cover driving him for four. Tom Curran came on for the 23rd over. James on drove Curran for four. Notts 88 for 5 off 25 overs at tea with Verreynne on 17 and James on 18 putting a partnership together.

Verreynne (18) was given out caught behind by Foakes off Worrall,  the ball appearing to bounce directly off his pad, 89 for six in the 27th over. The Notts stumper clearly unhappy and perplexed with the decision.

After all this mayhem Patterson-White joined James in the middle and the game was to be completely transformed again. With the ball getting older batting became slightly easier but with some balls still moving alarmingly on what remained a challenging surface. Lawes returned for the 33rd over, Patterson-White pulling him for six over square leg. Atkinson returned for the 38th over. The 50 partnership came up with a cover driven four by Patterson-White off Lawes in the 39th over. Notts in the ascendancy, the home crowd of 3,500 were very quiet 

The Notts 150 came up via a point boundary by Patterson-White off Atkinson in the 40th over. A legside single for Patterson-White off Worrall took him to his 50 off 63 balls in the 45th over. James (47 off 84 balls, 5x4) edged Fisher to Foakes, 180 for 7 in the 50th over. James has been outstanding over the last two games. Fisher's fifth wicket in the innings and 10th in the match. The 7th wicket partnership between two players who started their cricketing life together for Notts Under 11s had added an invaluable 91 runs and maybe the most crucial partnership of their cricketing lives. Hutton clubbed Fisher for two legside boundaries in the 52nd over. Patterson-White (58 off 90 balls, 5x4, 1x6) was smartly caught at second slip by Pope off Worrall, 198 for 8 in the 53rd over. Patterson-White is potentially a far better batsmen than a number 8. Hutton after his 30 not out in the first innings batted determinably once again closing on 23. With Tongue on 14 when stumps were drawn at 1822 Notts were 219 for 8.

Has the wicket eased? Maybe but  some deliveries were still moving a lot right up the close. Heavy overnight and early morning is forecast followed by a cloudy Wednesday. How will the overhead conditions, a wicket which could have sweated under the conditions and the fact that Notts will be bowling with a wet ball effect the game dynamic? We will found out as Notts enter their most important day of championship cricket for a decade and a half .MAG

15/09

Day 1

TEST PAIR RACE THROUGH NOTTS

Surrey dominated the opening day of the crucial Oval fixture today. Having bowled out Notts for 231, they closed on 43 for 1 trailing Notts by 188 runs.

Surrey won the toss and elected to bowl on a green surface on a very windy day in South London. They had a strong eleven with eight England internationals plus Aussie overseas bowler Dan Worrall. For Notts, Hutton replaced Abbas who was suffering from a back spasm.

Worrall (Vauxhall End) and Atkinson shared the new ball and the bowling proved relentlessly accurate. In the 6th over, Hameed was dropped by Sibley, low to his right off, Atkinson whilst on 7. It proved a small reprieve as in the 10th over, Hameed (9) was caught by Pope at second slip off an Atkinson delivery which shot up and moved; 25 for 1. Lawes replaced Worrall for the 11th over. Tom Curran was introduced for the 14th over. McCann hit consecutive off side fours off Curran in the 18th over. The Notts 50 came up in the following over. Fisher replaced Lawes for the 21st over. Atkinson returned for the 24th over. Slater and McCann were hanging on in there despite a lot of playing and missing. Notts got to lunch on 75 for 1 off 30 overs with Slater on 36 and McCann on 28. Surrey had bowled extremely well throughout the session but given the circumstances it was Notts' session.

Surrey took control in the middle session, hardly bowling a bad ball with Atkinson in particular outstanding, Worrall and Fisher bowled straight after lunch. In the 34th over. McCann (34 off 84 balls, 6x4) was caught behind by Foakes off Fisher, 89 for 2. Notts were to lose eight wickets for 114 runs. Clarke got off the mark  first ball with a leg glanced boundary. A single for Slater off Worrall in the 37th over brought up his 50 off 95 balls and also the Notts 100. Top scorer Slater (50 off 95 balls, 5x4) fell in the next over inside edging Fisher with Foakes taking his second catch, 100 for 3 in the 38th over.  A squally shower stopped play at 1353 with Notts 104 for 3 off 39.3 overs with Clarke on 9 and Haynes on 0.

Play recommenced 11 minutes later at 1404. Lawes returned for the 45th over. Clarke hit Lawes for consecutive boundaries in the 47th over. Atkinson returned and took a wicket with his fifth delivery Haynes lbw for 13 to a delivery that kept low, 132 for 4 in the 48th over. Clarke (29) edged a wide delivery from Atkinson, Foakes taking the regulation chance, 141 for 5 in the 52nd over. A poor shot. Notts well and truly on the ropes. Rain stopped play at 1511 with Notts 157 for 5 off 55.3 overs with Verreynne on 9 and James on 11. Tea was immediately taken.

No play was lost and in the 60th over James (17) tamely drove Atkinson to short mid wicket, 163 for 6. Patterson-White (8), all at sea against Worrall, was caught behind by Foakes off the Australian, 174 for 7 off 63 overs. Verreynne (13) disappointing run continued when he was lbw to Fisher, 187 for 8 in the 68th over. Hutton clubbed Fisher for six over square to bring up the Notts 200 in the 72nd over. Tongue (4) became Fisher's fourth victim edging him to Foakes, 203 for 9 in the 74th over. Hutton was batting very determinedly  and with Pennington 28 valuable runs were added for the last wicket. Pennington hit Fisher for successive boundaries in the 76th over. Next over Hutton powered two consecutive boundaries through mid wicket off Lawes. Former Tyke Fisher (5 for 61) removed Pennington (14) lbw, his first 5 wicket bag for Surrey. Notts 231 all out off 77.4 overs. Hutton 30 not out (off 46 balls, 3x4, 1x6). Surrey's five pronged seam attack bowled extremely well on a helpful deck with uneven bounce, pace and movement. Their accuracy was highly commendable given the strong cross wind. Atkinson was the pick of the pack with 4 for 41 off 19 overs. Notts batsmen had toughened it out and had batted for over two sessions.

Hutton (Vauxhall End) and Pennington opened the bowling. Tongue came on for the 8th over. Pennington returned for the 13th over. Unfortunately the Notts bowlers lacked the accuracy of their Surrey counterparts. Just before the close which came at 1820, Sibley (14) trying to withdraw his bat gloved a delivery from Pennington with Verreynne taking the catch, 42 for 1 in the 15th over. Surrey added a single to close on 43 for 1 with Burns on 19 and nightwatchman Lawes on 0. Remarkably no overs were lost in a day where the sun shone for large periods but with many showers just missing the ground. All the other eight championship games today had no balls bowled today. MAG

14/09

One point separates Surrey and Nottinghamshire in the Rothesay County Championship title race as the pair prepare to do battle at the Kia Oval this week

Play gets underway at 10:30pm and the match will be broadcast on YouTube and Sky Sports Cricket.

HOW CAN I KEEP UP WITH PLAY?

The match will be broadcast live on the Surrey YouTube channel and Sky Sports Cricket. A link will be available on the Kia Oval Match Centre and the Club’s social media channels. Video highlights, a written match report and the Oval and Out podcast will be available at the end of each day of play, with clips and updates available on Surrey’s social media channels.

The Notts squad:

Haseeb Hameed
Ben Slater
Freddie McCann

Joe Clarke

Jack Haynes

Kyle Verreynne

Lyndon James

Liam Patterson-White

Josh Tongue

Farhan Ahmed

Brett Hutton

Olly Stone

Dillon Pennington

Mohammad Abbas

Matthew Montgomery

You could surmise that the original Moores' plan was for Tongue to be available for this tabletopper match and then to recall Olly Stone, if he'd proved his fitness, for the Bears finale but...

even though Notts told The Cricketer that they were relaxed about Mohammad Abbas' back injury last Thursday, this has appeared on the Middlesex squad news:

Nottinghamshire will make a decision on whether Stone is needed, and if not, he will travel immediately to Manchester and be available to play for Middlesex against Lancashire.

So is it a case of no Mo, no Tongue or neither?

Pravda:

 Nottinghamshire members are invited to watch next week's pivotal County Championship clash against Surrey at a free watch-along event at Trent Bridge.

While the two sides do battle at the Kia Oval, all four days of the clash (15 to 18 September) will be shown on TV screens in The Clubhouse, located inside the Derek Randall Suite.

Food and drink will be available to purchase, with attendees also welcome to bring their own refreshments as they take in the action alongside their fellow members.

The Clubhouse will be open from 10am until the close of play on each matchday, with no need to reserve a place in advance.

Notts and Surrey currently occupy the top two spots in the Rothesay County Championship Division One table, with the Green and Golds one point behind the leaders with two games remaining after an enthralling victory over Worcestershire at New Road.

“To be in this position with two games to go is the goal at the start of every season and feels very exciting for everyone involved,” said Head Coach Peter Moores.

"The thought of everyone cheering back at Trent Bridge when we get a wicket is the sort of support that makes a difference.

"The game itself already feels like a final. We go into it knowing that Surrey are a very talented team, but we'll be full of confidence after the cricket we’ve played all season."