The two-day friendly between Somerset Second XI and Surrey Second XI at Taunton was ended early by rain and bad light, with Surrey at 5/1 in their second innings.
The agreement that both sides would face 90 overs over two innings meant Surrey Second XI continued batting until the 60-over mark at lunch, racking up 150/9. This left both sides to bat 30 overs in their second innings and Somerset Second XI made 92/2 in 30 overs before Surrey’s innings was cut short by inclement weather, the match being abandoned just after the tea interval.
In the morning wicketkeeper Joel Blake had made an accomplished 35* and when Somerset batted, Nico Reifer took a stunner at point from a full-blooded cut to give Nick Kimber a wicket, and Amar Virdi struck with his fourth ball as he and fellow spinner Dan Morairty wheeled away to get some good overs in the locker.
Performance Manager Matt Spriegel says: “We bowled better today and all in all it was a decent work-out and gave our guys valuable experience. It was frustrating to finish early but Joel batted well and it was coming out nicely for the seamers, while Amar and Dan both bowled really well. It was great for our lads – Academy guys like Lloyd and Gumbs, rookie players like Lawes and Barnwell, and club players in and around our set-up like Blake – to get time in the middle against the likes of Josh Davey and Marchant de Lange, who are a serious attack.”
The Second XI are next in action on Tuesday 19 April at the Ageas Bowl against Hampshire in the first match of the Second XI Championship.
