In a contrived two-day game against Kent at Beckenham the Surrey players had a chance to practice their skills ahead of the competitive season and gain valuable time out in the middle.

Watch the action on Surrey TV of the match, in which Surrey had the chance to spend some time in the middle on day one against the Kent attack. Scott Newman again looked to be in great form and was sweetly timing the ball. He chose to play his natural positive game on a pitch that was offering assistance to the seam bowlers. It was hard work for the Surrey batters to spend time at the middle, with only Newman and Alistair Brown looking comfortable. Scoring was tough due to a slow outfield and thus Brown and Newman both decided the aerial route was the best option to score. In a contrived game meaning both teams would receive 70 overs of batting regardless, Surrey ended up 195 for 13 as the entire squad that travelled had a bat. Jon Batty and Usman Afzaal also had a chance to bat twice on what was a tricky day to bat. Not entirely the best preparation for the upcoming LV County Championship start against Lancashire next week.

When Surrey took to the field the sun had disappeared making it a very cold evening, but the Surrey pacemen made the most of getting some overs in their legs. Pedro Collins was getting his natural swing and James Ormond was finding constant seam movement to test the Kent batsmen. Apart from a couple of dropped catches in the slips, it was a good work out for the whole team as bowling and fielding was of the highest quality. Wickets were shared amongst the quicks and Chris Schofield claimed the wicket of Darren Stevens with a delivery he calls the "zypher". The ball caught Stevens by surprise as it skidded in and took out middle stump. Kent reaching 92 for 4 at the close.

On day two Kent had the turn to spend a prolonged time in the middle and they made the most of the chance with Matthew Walker and Martin van Jaarsveld taking their time. The Surrey bowlers were bowling good areas and tying the batsmen up, but had little success. Walker fell just before lunch, after making 93, to a good low catch by Mark Butcher off Murtaza Hussain. However, van Jaarsveld continued to play strong on the off side as he completed a century, finishing on 109 not out. He was partnered to the declaration with Geraint Jones who struck a few straight sixes off the Surrey spinners, who were rotated at the bottom end. At the other end Jade Dernbach and James Ormond both bowled consistently and had a good hard work out, which was the aim for the day.

After Kent finished on 322 for five after 100 overs Surrey got a second chance to bat. Again Jon Batty and Mark Ramprakash fell early, Batty on the receiving end of an unlucky LBW decision, which brought Usman Afzaal and Alistair Brown to the crease and both players looked in good form. Brown continued his consistent scoring of the past week and Usman started to open his shoulders and play some beautiful flowing shots. One in particular that saw him hit the leg-spin of Joe Denly straight down the ground for six from down on one knee. Usman was finally bowled by Denly for 44 as Surrey finished the day on 101 for five and the game came to a close.

Watch the action from both days play on Surrey TV here

Surrey next take on Loughbourgh UCCE, captained by Surrey’s Matthew Spriegal, at the Brit Insurance Oval on Saturday the 12the April.

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