Surrey are playing Middlesex at the LSE Ground in New Malden this week in a four day Second XI Championship match.
An inexperienced XI has been picked with only five contracted players, Ben Geddes, Nico Reifer, Conor McKerr, Daniel Moriarty and Nick Kimber, in the side. There are continued opportunities for Academy players Sheridon Gumbs, George Ealham and fifteen-year-old Khris Patel, whilst Patel’s U15 age group team mate Ollie Pascal makes his debut for the side. There is also more chance to impress for triallists Justin Broad and Jack Winterbottom.
This article will be updated throughout the week with daily reports on the how the action is progressing.
To follow a live score and watch clips of the action from New Malden, please click here
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Day 1
After a poor start, Surrey slipped to 111/7, with 29 from Justin Broad the main contribution in the top order.
However, a sticky 26 from Khris Patel started the fightback, pulling Surrey up to 156 when he became the eighth wicket to fall.
This was then cue for an 82 run partnership between Dan Moriarty (84) and Ollie Pascal (32*), who took Surrey to 238/9. Pascal then teamed with Jack Winterbottom to salvage the innings, leaving Surrey 250/9 from 100 overs at the end of the day.
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Day 2
After Ben Geddes was called up to replace Will Jacks in the First XI match against Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl, Academy batsman Tom Laws joined the game overnight.
A Conor McKerr five wicket haul put Surrey in the driving seat as Middlesex were bowled out for 147. Surrey had chance to build on their innings lead and ended the second day on 41/2.
McKerr’s 5/35 from 17 overs included the wickets of Atharva Prasad and captain James Harris while he was ably supported by fellow professional Nicholas Kimber, who took 3/41 including top order first teamers Joe Cracknell & Max Holden.
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Day 3
Nico Reifer’s 85 carried Surrey to 241 in their second innings before Middlesex got the long final chase under way, ending on 57/2. That leaves a thrilling final day in store as Surrey go in search of the eight wickets for victory and Middlesex look for 288 runs to win.
Reifer’s innings was one of high class, hitting seven fours and one six from the 182 balls he faced while at the crease. After starring with the bat in the first innings, Daniel Moriarty also stood out again here; this time making 39.
Academy seamer Ben Townsend was the man to claim the two wickets in the final session of the day to leave it perfectly poised.
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Day 4
Surrey’s bowlers plugged away through the day to seal 112 run win with around 10 overs remaining on the final day.
It took more than 30 overs for Surrey to make the breakthrough on the final day and the wickets remained spread out from there. After Townsend’s two on Day 3, it was pros Nick Kimber & Conor McKerr who claimed doubles today. Slow left armer Yousef Majid also claimed two while trialist Justin Broad and Academy prospect George Ealham took one each.
As wickets fell, it became clear the target would be too much for Middlesex and they set about keeping Surrey at bay. However, the dogged determination of Surrey’s lineup got the hosts over the line.
Our 2nd XI will not play again until 30th August when they complete their season with back-to-back four-day matches.
