SURREY FAIL TO WIN IN TWO NAIL-BITING ENCOUNTERS

Sport

SURREY FAIL TO WIN IN TWO NAIL-BITING ENCOUNTERS

15 May 2009

Championship:
County Championship
Division Two - Surrey (10pts) drew with Middlesex (11pts); Friends Provident Trophy
Sussex beat Surrey by two runs

Two tight encounters showed Surrey's season is on the upward curve, but the Kennington outfit failed to sneak over the line in both games.

To be fair in the league contest Surrey almost pulled off a victory when they looked dead and buried on the final day of their contest against local rivals Middlesex.

Aussie Philip Hughes, whose dashing style may see him figure large in this summers ashes, showed his true colours by hitting a first innings 195 and a quick fire 57 off 46 balls that looked set to enable the Lord's side reach a target of 186 in 25 overs for victory.

However spin twins Murtaza Hussain and Chris Schofield then ran through the away side as they lost nine wickets for 91 runs. With just ten runs needed off the final over, Middlesex looked set to fall over the line but Hussain trapped Steve Finn leg-before with the final delivery to ensure a exciting draw.

Earlier in the contest Mark Ramprakash scored a first innings century which was somewhat negated by Hughes efforts. When wily spinner Shaun Udal took six second innings wickets for 74 runs the game swung Middlesex's way until the thrilling final day.

A career best one-day score of 130 from Scott Newman also saw Surrey fall just short in their latest Friends Provident game. The Brown Caps appeared to have a mountain to climb after Sussex set them a challenging total of 314 to chase off 50 overs, thanks largely to a sparkling 144 off 119 balls from Murray Goodwin.

But rather than being phased Surrey pushed the Hove side all the way and posted 154 before the first wicket fell.
Wickets fell more steadily after that, but Surrey still needed 15 off the final over and despite some lusty hitting from Grant Elliot they fell just two runs short.

Surrey now have a run of fixtures at the Oval in the Friends Provident Trophy, and despite only one win they are still within touching distance of Sussex who they will hope to overhaul for a quarter final place.