Surrey Second XI face tricky chase for victory - Kia Oval Skip to main content
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19 wickets fell in the day at New Malden meaning Surrey Second XI will need to score the highest score of the match to beat Essex.

 

With Surrey at 97/3 at the start of the day, not many would have bet on them being batting in their second innings by the end of the day. That they were was down to a sporty pitch, some good bowling and some injudicious strokeplay from both sides.

Assistant coach Jim Troughton says: “I did not think Essex batted that well yesterday and at the start we were looking to go well beyond their score, but Jamie Porter and Ben Allison bowled really well this morning on a pitch that is offering a bit to the bowlers.

“The nicks were carrying and we ended up well short of their total. Then their batters got stuck in and it did not look too clever for us when they were nearly 200 ahead with only three wickets down. But after tea we bowled really well as a group and gave ourselves a chance. It’s great to see Tom Lawes coming back from injury although we still have to manage his workload, and good to see Nathan Barnwell and Ben Townsend in the wickets.

“To score 240 odd to win it will not be easy but we are at least in the game, so let’s see what tomorrow brings.”

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