Newman Bats Surrey Back into the Match

23 April 2009

Scott Newman played a patient and excellently crafted century to take Surrey 70 runs ahead after day two at Derby. Newman hit 124 in over four hours at the crease to put Surrey back in the match after they had earlier let Derbyshire carve out a first innings lead of 143.

Derbyshire resumed on the second morning on 152 for seven and would makes use of the entire morning session. Greg Smith and Graham Wagg would initially frustrate Surrey as they went in search of wickets. The ball was not swinging as much as on day one and the Surrey bowlers let their consistency go. As time went on the Surrey bowlers became impatient and were striving for the perfect delivery every ball. Wagg and Smith cashed in on some free balls to score off and took their partnership past 100. The introduction of Chris Schofield though saw the end of Wagg, as he tried to play big shots against the spin. Schofield trapped him LBW for 35, but by then the pair had put on 102 for the eighth wicket. With only one run added to the score though, Chris Jordan had Mark Lawson caught down the leg side from a quick rising delivery for nought. Derbyshire 191 for 9 and Surrey thought they had the job done.

However, Surrey would then slack off and lose any control they had. Jade Dernbach became frustrated by the last wicket pairing of Smith and Ian Hunter. Smith looked comfortable at the crease and Hunter played sensibly to begin with. For Surrey the ball was not working as it did on day one and without the swing the pitch became easier to bat on. As Hunter grew in confidence and started to score runs of the loose balls it became noticeable that Surrey were giving it away. Schofield was brought back on and Hunter used this opportunity to open his shoulders and find the fence. Smith as well increased the scoring and helped Derbyshire to two batting bonus points. Hunter was closing in a fifty and Smith on a century when Collins finally put one in the right area and knocked out Hunter’s off stump. Derbyshire all out for 274 and a frustrated Surrey 143 runs behind.

The afternoon session would be all Surrey as the new opening pair of Scott Newman and Michael Brown played out the session, looking composed and thoughtful. Newman was defending well and the pair ran together very effectively. Although the pair only scored at around two runs per over it was exactly what was ordered and they safely knocked the ball around until tea, taking the score on to 81.

After tea though, Brown would go when he fended at a good length ball outside his off-stump to Hunter. Stuart Law would take a good catch at second slip and Brown would go for 28, Surrey 83 for one. Newman however, kept playing patiently and a shot selection that matched every ball. He was once again strong through the off-side, off both front and back foot and hit eight fours on his way to a half-century in 111 balls. Laurie Evans came in at three and played a beautiful straight drive off Lawson for four, but would have a bad piece of luck when he was bowled for 7. Jonathan Clare bowled a back of the length delivery that should have bounced over the stumps, but it hit half-way up his off-stump and Surrey were 129 for two.

Newman continued to play nicely and was giving the bowlers nothing as he played more positively in the evening session, taking advantage of some loose bowling. On a wicket that was becoming uneven in bounce the batsmen had to really work for runs, but Newman was up to the challenge. He struck 16 fours in 165 balls on his way to three figures as the left-hander helped Surrey regain the lead in this match.

Unfortunately, Newman’s innings would end with 20 balls remaining in the day as Derbyshire captain James Pipe brought on Garry Park and made the break through. Newman would finish on 124 off 197 balls, but he had played a timely innings for Surrey and helped them past 200. By the close of day two Surrey had moved on to 213 for 3, with Usman Afzaal on28 and night-watchman, Jade Dernbach on 5.