Tail Frustrates Surrey at Cranleigh

29 July 2010

An inspired 124 from MCC Universities batsman Rob Taylor lead a lower order fight back to see his side post a first innings score of 422/9 declared – Simon King and Chris Schofield both taking four wickets each – before Laurie Evans and Arun Harinath survived a tricky twenty minutes before stumps to leave Surrey 15/0.

The true Cranleigh School track and lightening outfield made the decision to bat first a very simple one for the MCC Universities captain Jak Martin. And the opening pair of Luc Durandt and Ryan Bishop got the visitors off to great start as anything lose was put away with ease.

After only eleven overs, with the score on 58/0, spin was introduced from both ends as Chris Schofield and Simon King bowled well, exacting good bounce from the pitch.

And it was King to strike first as he had Durandt caught at short leg for 40.

But it was his more senior colleague Schofield who was to dominate the morning session as he took four wickets in quick succession.

First, he had Martin caught at cover by Zafar Ansari for six. Bishop was next to go as he was bowled after attempting to sweep and was unfortunate to see the ball spin off his pads and roll agonisingly onto his stumps.

Daniel Bendon and Ryan Moore then both fell cheaply as Surrey were delighted to have reduced MCC Universities to 150/5 at lunch.

But after lunch Alan Cope and Rob Taylor began to build a patient partnership as the Surrey spinners struggled to build any significant pressure and the pair scored freely.

Cope was the first to bring up his half century but Taylor soon followed – the number seven was striking the ball imperiously. The pair added 95 before King had Cope LBW for 54.

Alex Welsh was next out for 16 and was shortly followed by Rob Wolley who was well caught and bowled by King to leave the visitors struggling on 288/8.

But Taylor was joined by Peter Turnbull and the pair built a brilliant partnership that frustrated the Surrey side as they worked tirelessly to wrap up the innings.

Taylor soon brought up his hundred with a brilliant pull shot over square leg for six. The powerful stroke typified the left hander’s knock which featured shots all around the ground.

The only mistimed shot he played came with the declaration seemingly looming as he hit Freddie van den Bergh straight up in the air and King took the simple catch at mid on.

Turnbull reached fifty and batted very fluently for a number ten. He and Daniel Conway actually added an unbeaten 59 as Martin made the Surrey openers sweat and wait until finally declaring.

Evans and Harinath batted comfortably in the gloomy conditions and will, along with all the Surrey batsmen, set about making a big score tomorrow on this batsman friendly ground.

Report by Ed Clarke

Photography by Gerry Sexton