Second XI win behind fine all-round performance from Tudor

25 May 2009

The Surrey Second XI have beaten Essex by 31 runs at Billericay, behind a fifty and three wickets from Alex Tudor, continuing their recent run of good form.

A young Surrey 2nd XI, with seven players under the age of twenty-one, took on Essex at Billericay in this week’s game in the Trophy competition. Essex Captain Jason Gallian won the toss and asked Surrey to bat.

Surrey lost two quick wickets and were 17-2, but rallied with a stand of 74 for the third wicket between Jon Batty and Laurie Evans (27). Batty was fifth man out for 53 from 82 balls in the 27th over with the scoreboard reading 100-5. The second half of the innings was dominated by Alex Tudor, whose 59 came from only 52 balls. He was well supported by Seren Waters (24), Tom Jewell (26) and Murtaza Hussain (16) and, with a generous infusion of 25 extras, the Surrey innings ended on 244-9. Pick of the Essex bowlers was Jahid Ahmed who took 5-39 in his ten overs.

Surrey started well when Essex batted as Tudor picked up the wicket of Jason Gallian in his second over. Mervyn Westfield provided stout resistance, scoring 50 from 59 balls before he was trapped lbw by Murtaza Hussain and Tim Phillips was out in the same way for 39. Essex were 141-5 after 27 overs but the Surrey bowlers kept on the pressure. Essex had one eye on the threatening clouds and decided to keep just ahead of the Duckworth-Lewis par score, thinking the match would be cut short by rain. However the umpires decided the conditions were playable and when Alex Tudor took two wickets in his last over Essex found their tactics had misfired and they were too far behind the par score. Trying to score runs more quickly they lost wickets and were all out for 213 to give Surrey victory by 31 runs. Surrey were equally generous with extras and conceded 20 wides but they fielded magnificently – Tom Jewell being exceptional in the deep. Tudor bowled well taking 3-39 from ten overs. Jewell took 2-46 and Murtaza Hussain 2-35 in what was an all- round team performance.

Match Report by Surrey Second XI scorer Jennifer Booth