Half centuries from Jonathan Batty and Usman Afzaal took Surrey to 251 for four after the first day of the LV County Championship against Kent at the Brit Insurance Oval. Batty faced 240 balls to reach 70 not out at the close as the Kent bowlers kept it tight. Usman hit 57 in a fourth wicket partnership of 102 with Batty took Surrey to a solid position after a hard fought day of batting.

Surrey captain Mark Ramprakash continued his excellent record of winning yet another toss and choose to bat on what looked another perfect cricket wicket at the Brit Insurance Oval. The early movement from the Kent seamers came in the form of swing as some cloudy conditions were present at the start. Yasir Arafat was finding considerable swing but Matthew Spriegel looked at ease and very natural against the new ball. He and Scott Newman had reached 22, when Robert Joseph made use of the Oval bounce and forced a false hook shot from Newman, who went for nine. Mark Ramprakash joined Spriegel and the pair took their time and they were cautious against the extensive swing of Ryan McLaren. Geraint Jones found himself diving frequently down the leg-side as the ball was moving around in the air. Spriegel had hit three fours and had put on 40 for the second wicket with Ramprakash when McLaren swung one back through his gate to hit the top of off-stump, and Spriegel went for 17.

Ramprakash looked in serene form once again and quickly got back in Championship mode after the recent Twenty20 campaign. He struck a couple of beautiful boundaries off the front foot, but had a life, when on 23 he was put down by a diving McLaren at point. Ramprakash and Jonathan Batty then safely took Surrey to lunch and past the hundred mark. Batty had come in at the new position of four and looked at home. He was solid and patient as the Surrey pair took their partnership past 50. Ramprakash was looking in control and had moved to 48 when he then pushed at a delivery from McLaren and edged the ball behind, where Jones took an excellent diving catch low to his right, Surrey 126 for three.

The Kent bowlers were extremely consistent and controlled the scoring rate. The Surrey batsman were only able to score at two and a half runs per over, but each batsman was valuing their wicket. Usman Afzaal and Batty played out the afternoon session, reaching 168 for three at tea. Batty’s shot selection against a tight bowling attack was impeccable and he reached a deserved half-century off 173 balls half an hour after tea. Usman played in a similar vein and was always ready to punish any loose delivery. He was especially strong with the cut shot and hit 8 fours on his way to reaching 50 off 102 balls as the fourth wicket pairing were looking comfortable. However, Usman appeared to try and up the tempo and with the new ball only five overs old Yasir found just enough seam movement to find the edge as Usman played loosely away from his body, Jones took the catch and Surrey were 229 for four. Usman and Batty had put on 103 for the fourth wicket. Ali Brown and Batty took Surrey to 248 at the close of day one with Batty on a brilliant 70 not out.

Watch highlights of the first day here on Surrey TV.

Add to Del.icio.us Digg it share on Facebook (What is this?)

• Listen
• Watch
• Get the New 2008 Surrey CCC Performance Tracksuit Bottoms/Brown