Batty saves match for Surrey
Published 16 August 2007
A gutsy century from Surrey’s wicket keeper Jonathan Batty provided the base for Surrey’s rearguard action after Durham batted on this morning to set their opposition an unlikely 447 runs for victory.
Liam Plunkett got proceedings off with a bang this morning by smashing a rapid 59 form just 44 deliveries. In a fantastic display of ball striking the England international went to his half century from his 42nd delivery, a remarkable effort considering he blocked 16 balls for one run last night.
His partner Ben Harmison continued in a similar vein to yesterday, ticking the board over whilst Plunkett smeared the ball to the boundary. When Durham eventually declared on 397, the had all but batted Surrey out of the game by setting them an unlikely 447 runs for victory.
In reply, Surrey got off to a bright start with Batty beautifully timing his first ball for four. Running aggressively between the wickets Surrey’s wicket keeper and Scott Newman negotiated the hour period to take their side to the break on 52 without loss.
In the second over after lunch and with only seven runs added to the score, Plunkett had Newman caught at gully from a ball that lifted off a good length. Shortly after the wicket taker was replaced by the catcher, Otis Gibson, and when the score was on 81 the former West Indian Test cricketer delivered a fantastic ball to bowl Mark Ramprakash for 15.
Batty meanwhile, carried on stroking the ball around the ground providing Surrey with the rock solid base as he went past his fifty with a tuck on the leg side off Paul Wiseman. He enjoyed a good partnership with his captain Mark Butcher and together the pair took Surrey into the tea break on 122.
Once again the interval and a change of bowling made the difference as Wiseman returned from the opposite end to which he had been operating and in turn had Butcher caught behind. Nevertheless, Batty quietly accumulated runs and seemingly without effort had his century in sight.
Stewart Walters was similarly solid and put together a nice partnership with Batty to ensure that Durham had no further success. With time running out for the home team, Batty’s wall of defence continued and when he went to a brilliant century, Durham realised that they would not pick up the seven remaining Surrey wickets.
As a result, at just after 5pm, both captains agreed that no result other than a draw could be attained from the match and as such the umpires called play to a close, with Surrey finishing 198 for three and Batty 102 not out.
Click here to watch exclusive highlights of the final days play at the Riverside on Surrey TV
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