Bad light intervenes as Surrey and Durham share spoils - Kia Oval Skip to main content
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Bad light put paid to a thrilling finish in Guildford as Surrey Second XI and Durham went toe-to-toe for four days, the umpires calling time on the match due to bad light on the final afternoon.

Durham were well on the way to securing a victory in the fourth innings run chase as opener McKinney made a patient 100 off 160 balls in three hours at the crease before Daniel Moriarty prised him out, well caught by Cameron Steel. Moriarty was the home side’s star turn with the ball in the final innings as he picked up 4-73 from his 24.1 overs. 
Surrey were confident of taking the game down to the wire with a new batter having just arrived at the crease to join Durham’s number four Jonathan Bushnell at the other end on 32 not out, before the umpires decided it was too dark to continue, the game on a knife-edge with Durham needing 61 runs off the final ten overs and Surrey needing five more wickets. 
Performance Coach Matt Spriegel was happy with the way the team performed over the four days but confessed that it was “frustrating” that the umpires pulled the plug on the game as it was heading for a close finish.
“It’s not about the result necessarily or thinking we were going to win, you want your players to experience those tight scenarios at the end of a close game, that’s where they can learn and perform their skills under pressure, which is really valuable to a young player.” 
Surrey Second XI now have a week off for recovery and training before their next game, it’ll take them a little while to come down after four well contested days in Guildford against a well drilled Durham side.