Another ton for Ramprakash as Surrey ease to draw
Published 3 May 2008
In a game destined for a draw, Surrey ensured maximum batting points with a solid display of batting as Mark Ramprakash reached his 99th first-class hundred. Half centuries from Ali Brown and Usman Afzaal took Surrey past 400 and the match ended in a draw.
Mark Butcher and Mark Ramprakash were untroubled during the first hour of play. Both batsmen were taking their time to play themselves back in on the final day. The Sussex bowlers kept the pressure on by bowling stump to stump, but none of the bowlers created any movement to test the Surrey pair.
With the score on 196, Surrey lost their first wicket of the morning when Ollie Rayner had Butcher caught behind for 23. The off-spinner found some extra bounce from the rough outside Butcher’s off stump and managed to find the edge of the bat. Usman Afzaal came to the crease and immediately looked at home against the spin by playing inside out through the offside for four on his first ball.
All eyes were on Ramprakash though. He had played very cautiously to move slowly into the ninties, however, he did not stay there long. In one over he advanced to lift Rayner over mid-wicket for four, then two balls later he sweetly timed Rayner straight down the ground for another four. All spectators were on the edge of their seats, but the had to wait until Rayner’s next over. His third ball dropped short, Ramprakash rocked back and cut the ball into the Pavilion fence for four to move onto 102. It was Ramprakash’s second century of the year and his 99th first-class century of his career.
Ramprakash fell before lunch for 123 when Rayner took a very sharp catch of his own bowling. The afternoon session was then occupied by Ali Brown and Usman, together they batted out time and built a solid partnership, Usman looking at ease against the spin and Brown ever quick to punish anything loose. They both went past 50 and put on 151 for the fifth wicket. Michael Yardy finally bowled Usman for 71 after the left-hander began to expand. Brown was joined by Chris Jordan and they saw Surrey past 400, at which point they declared to prevent further bowling points to Sussex. Brown finished unbeaten on a flawless 76.
Sussex batted out 13 overs of spin from Brown and Usman as they reached the five o’clock cut off without loss and the match was drawn.
Watch Mark Ramprakash after his 99th hundred on Surrey TV
Watch the final days play from Hove on Surrey TV.
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