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Ramprakash and Clarke make the game safe as rain wins the day

Published 23 July 2007

Ramprakash Salute

Mark Ramprakash produced a first-class display of batting against some disciplined Yorkshire bowlers to pass 1000 runs for the season and secure a draw for Surrey against the leaders.

Surrey resumed the final day against Yorkshire on 87 for 3, needing to bat well to make sure the trip to Headingley did not finish in a loss against the leaders. After losing three early wickets on the third evening the returning Surrey batsmen, Stewart Walters and Mark Ramprakash, were watchful at the start of the final day. Darren Gough and Jason Gillespie bowled with the discipline you would expect from a pairing with over 450 Test wickets between them. The constant line and length made run scoring tough as the Headingley pitch was producing enough movement to keep the bowlers interested. Stewart Walters had made 27 off 102 balls when he got enticed into hooking at a short ball from Gillespie. Bresnan took a good catch at fine-leg as Surrey were 107 for 4.

Ramprakash then guided a four through third-man, only his second boundary of the morning, which took him past 1000 first-class runs for the season. He became the first man to reach the milestone in Division one of the LV County Championship and it was the seventeenth occasion of his career.

Ramprakash notched up a half-century and had put on 54 with Rikki Clarke before Anthony McGrath made the break through and had Ramprakash caught driving by Gerard Brophy behind the stumps. McGrath then produced some bounce to surprise Richard Clinton as he went first ball, leaving Surrey 161 for 6. However, Clarke continued his solid form of the last two matches and took on the responsibility of getting Surrey some batting points. He went on the attack against Adil Rashid and hit two sixes and six fours on his way to 65. Meanwhile, Gough was taking wickets at the other end, as he changed to the Kirstall Lane end after lunch. First over after the break he removed Matthew Nicholson and then Harbhajan Singh soon followed. With the score on 220 Clarke was then out hooking to Gough as the former England paceman finished with 6 wickets. When Jade Dernbach fell to Rashid for a duck the Surrey innings closed on 229.

Matthew Nicholson made an early breakthrough in Yorkshire’s second innings when Craig White edged to Clarke at second slip. Then the dark clouds rolled in at 3pm as bad light and then heavy rain saw the end of the match. Surrey picking up 8 valuable points from a very frustrating week in Leeds where ultimately the weather had the final say.

Click here to watch the days highlights on Surrey TV or Click here to watch Mark Ramprakash talk about his 1000 first-class runs on Surrey TV

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