The first two days of the Second XI game versus Worcestershire at Kidderminster were completely washed out by dismal weather but the third day dawned sunny and stayed fine for a full day’s play. As fewer than eight hours remained to be played in the game, automatic forfeiture of both first innings took place and a one day game of 96 overs was played as laid down by ECB regulations.

Stewart Walters had won the toss for Surrey and decided to field on the morning of the scheduled second day when a lull in the weather suggested that play would commence on time but by 11 o’clock showers, followed by thunder, had set in for the day. The decision of the toss remained valid, however, and Surrey duly took the field on the third morning.

Worcestershire started slowly against the opening attack of Jade Dernbach and Stuart Meaker, playing his first game for the Twos, and had scored only eight runs after nine overs. Then the openers David Wheeldon (34) and Skipper Daryl Mitchell (41) began to open up and put on 81 for the first wicket before Mitchell was caught by Tom Glover off the bowling of Chris Schofield. Worcestershire were 92 for one at lunch but then Navid Chaudrhy, playing his first Second XI Championship game, came into the attack to pick up the wickets of Wheeldon and Kervezee to take the home side’s score to 101 for three. Wicketkeeper Josh Knappett and James Taylor added 53 and Knappett batted through to be 85 not out from 89 balls when Worcestershire declared on 252 for seven from 59 overs. Wickets were shared out between Chaudrhy (two for 41), and the spin bowlers Chris Schofield (two for 66) Simon King ( one for 56) and Rory Hamilton-Brown whose final figures read three overs, two wickets for ten runs.

Tea was taken and Surrey were asked to chase 253 in 37 overs. The visiting side was soon in the hunt with Rory Hamilton-Brown and Stewart Walters in great form. In 18 overs they had 100 on the scoreboard before Hamilton-Brown was dismissed for a hard-hitting 62 from 59 balls with 11 fours. Walters kept the momentum going adding 62 in a stand with Chris Schofield (17) and 45 with Gary Wilson (31) before an ambitious attempted third run found him run out by Welldon’s throw to the keeper. His magnificent 94, with four sixes (one of them onto the railway line) and 11 fours had required only 74 balls.

Wilson was out, caught at cover, six runs later and, although Alan Cope and Stuart Meaker (17 not out) battled bravely to keep the score ticking over, the innings closed on 241 for six, 12 runs short and Surrey had to settle for a draw and four points.

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

• Get the Surrey CCC County Shirt, 07/08, Adults, Ivory/Brown