Surrey vs Kent LV=County Championship

Surrey have named a fourteen man squad    for the LV=County Championship match against Kent at Guildford starting on Sunday.
less face it no one wants to miss guildford  
Tillakaratne Dilshan returns to the Championship squad having missed the recent four day game against Glamorgan due to his involvement in Sri Lanka’s ODI series against South Africa. Stuart Meaker and George Edwards are both included.
There is no place in the squad for our specialist batsman jade   
The Surrey squad to play Kent in the LV=County Championship match at Guildford on Sunday 20th July, Monday 21st July, Tuesday 22nd July and Wednesday 23rd July :
Gary Wilson (capt)
Zafar Ansari
Gareth Batty
Rory Burns
Steven Davies
Tillakaratne Dilshan
Matthew Dunn
George Edwards
Arun Harinath
Tim Linley
Stuart Meaker
Jason Roy
Vikram Solanki
Chris Tremlett

Very true words there, JimBob! All realistic options included in that squad. As I suggested on the other thread, of the bowlers I would expect the Viscount and Chick Edwards to miss out. That said, I suppose one of them could sneak a place if it's felt that Dunn and Meaker are too similar (risks and rewards) for both to play.

The hardest decision though is probably whether the Baron retains his place having covered so well last time for Dilshan. I fear he'll be unlucky although Davies' place is not guaranteed.

Baking hot here today. Must be a batting day tomorrow.

Agree the three most likely to miss out are Viscount, Edwards and the Baron. Harinath does seem to be ahead of Sibley in pecking order, at least for the time being.

Surprises!

Surrey win toss and field. Warm and overcast - guess hoping the ball will swing. Not what I would have chosen though.

Tremlett misses out as do the Baron and Edwards. Linley and Meaker both play.

leaving out tremlett proved wise   

22 no balls from just 69 overs   

Surrey have a habit of putting the opposition in to bat if they win the toss at Guildford and it has never paid off though it hasn't always proved fatal. Personally I think it hands the initiative to the other team and allows them to dictate the game.

Although bowling at Woodbridge Road is no fun I feel Tremlett has been very hard done by unless he is injured. A Michelle at Colwyn Bay and effectively dropped. All Championship games are close to must win now so for me rotation should be binned and the strongest bowling attack selected for all of them. For me on current form Tremlett is in that attack.

Hmmm. We "fought hard" as the club website says but too often we didn't fight clever.

Like Beehive, I felt putting Kent in gave them the opportunity to take the initiative which they duly did. Few at the ground knew why Tremlett wasn't playing. He was listed to do so on the scorecard. Possibly a cunning tactical plan or a late injury. Some pointers towards the latter - unlike Harinath and Edwards, Tremlett didn't practice during the lunch break and left all the 12th man duties to be shared by them. There again, it could be just that Tremlett is excused such chores due to his seniority.

All the bowlers plugged away but rarely with consistency and accuracy. Too many boundary balls which were never going to be stopped on the fast outfield plus, as JimBob flagged, far too many no balls. The wicket was very green which one would have thought would have suited the seamers. That certainly appeared to be Wilson's view as he used only two overs of spin - both from Batty - before 200 was on the board. Unfortunately by then only 3 wickets had fallen and one of those was down to Batty. If we had a Plan B, Wilson was reluctant to use it! This became more costly as the seamers became more tired in the swelteringly hot afternoon.

The fielding rather resembled the bowling. Some good stops - Dilshan hurling himself around to good effect - but a few too many misfields from others.

We need to be on the money from the start tomorrow and peg Kent back. We don't want to be facing a total of 400 - it'll be difficult to win if we are, already looking tricky from here. Certainly need Billings early on - most of the Kent batsmen chipped in usefully but he and, in particular, Northeast were the leading lights.

on tremlett churchy tweeted sore shoulder..not serious

351-7 after being put in is a very good return. We're going to have hope we can have them out for 400 and be reducing that before lunch. Also need to be scoring at a good rate, as we at least need maximum bonus points!

meaker wraps up the tail   

both openers out to stevens   

third degree does a solanki and gets out the last over before lunch  

4 down already   

davies run out   

The usual run-fest at Guildford!   

50 for roy   

100 partnership    

roy out 16 short of a hundred
that's his birthday ruined     

50 for harold   

A great day at Guildford and a chance to catch up with Guildfordbat and the Corporal...thank you to G B for the hospitality..great to see such a good crowd....describing it as 'packed' is probably overstating it a bit..but a very healthy attendance and a really good atmosphere....after a very poor start for Surrey, they fought back extremely well...whilst Roy, Wilson and Batty all rode their luck a bit, it was great to see such a good fight back, when they could so easily have crumbled....Kent bowled and fielded very we'll....it will be intriguing to see how the match pans out from here....shame I am at work tomorrow!

Sun drenched day at Guildford.    Kent started well and rode their luck and it was a bit of a surprise when then their last three wickets suddenly went down.  Surrey bowled a few too many four balls.....  there were a couple of good catches from Dunn and Roy.

For most of the rest of the day Kent faster bowlers were generally well disciplined.  Riley was however, hit out of the attack fairly quickly. Kent fielding was good too, although Wilson was given a reprieve in the slips on 46. They really had Surrey on the ropes at 105 - 5 following Davies' run out in an attempt at a wildly ambitious single. There was then a classy innings of 84 from Le Roi  including some cracking boundaries and one six that went a mighty distance over midwicket. Wilson started well then got increasingly sketchy and played and missed numerous time in the thirties.  But eventually he got through that and scored much more fluently towards the end.  Decent unbeaten contribution from Batty too in the evening.  

It will probably be unwise to count on too many more runs from the Surrey tail as the new ball is due first thing.  Kent are likely to be a bit cautious in the target they set given the small ground and fast outfield.

Is guildford a little 'worse for wear' to submit a report?! Good to hear you chaps had a spiffing time, and in the end Surrey didn't ruin it!
Intriguingly poised at the moment, obviously Kent are on top, but if we can get 350+ and then our spinners get to work on a dry pitch we could be in for an exciting last day run chase!

Goochie - I can confirm that Guildford was a model of sobriety throughout!

Although, changing the subject completely, a number of patrons kept meandering in front of the sight screen at the railway end.  At one point when yet another person started the walk of shame I'm fairly sure I heard a loud voice from a very adjacent seat to me roar "shoot him".  Whether that voice of moderation came from the seat right next to me had better remain an unmpire's call!   

thegooch7 wrote:
Intriguingly poised at the moment, obviously Kent are on top, but if we can get 350+ and then our spinners get to work on a dry pitch we could be in for an exciting last day run chase!

 

  

50 partnership for meaks and clive   

50 for meaker   

398 all out - two runs short of the 5th point with 2 balls left. So close - great effort by Meaker and Dunn.

NOOOOOOOOOOO 2 runs short of the full batting points     

Let's see how Kent go now. Even after a rest at lunchtime, their openers must be feeling slightly different coming out again with a minimal lead having had to chase leather in the heat for an unexpected extra hour or so, rather than with a comfy 70+ lead in the bank.

Full marks to Kent's top order if they take it in their stride, but I see a possible momentum shift in the game for Surrey's bowlers to grab here - if they can...  

Good comeback from Meaker after all that's gone on! Game on now!!

31-0 - we need a wicket or two this session.

160-2 - slipping away......

back in it again   

stunning catch from son of boris     

Evening all!

Kent 229/6 with a lead of 239.

I would have settled for it at the start of play, let alone before Meaker and Clive's partnership.

Having had them 178/6 I can't deny that there's a slightly sour feeling though. Especially having also missed out on the final batting point by 2 runs!

Congratulations definitely in order for Meaker with 8 wickets and an important 50 already on his return as well.  

Also good to hear that guildford, Corporal and Chichester seem to have been in good spirits for the second day   

Sounds like another fascinating day...shame that I couldn't be there...great performance from meaker   ...I guess the odds favour a draw unless Surrey can get quick wickets in the morning....but hopeful the position of the match should encourage another great crowd!

Very well played Meaker, batting and bowling.     Does look odds on a draw. If the lead ends up as not too much over 300 Surrey might well give it a go, in which case any result possible.

Goochie - appreciate your concern but I'm fine. There really was nothing I could add to the excellent summaries from Chichester and the Corporal although it was remiss of me not to say that at the time, apologies.

Managed to get along for most of today as well. "Cracking cricket" as Johnny Barran said at lunchtime. Very much Meaker's day. A splendid fifty in a very valuable last wicket stand with Clive of 80 plus which gave us a fourth batting point and near parity with Kent's first innings score. Both pushed their luck at times but they played sensibly and deserved the odd slice of fortune. Then Meaker's second fourfer of the match (with a good chance of more wickets tomorrow) with a ferocious spell of accurate bowling.

Surrey's fielding was very good. Fine catches behind from Wilson and Burns (taking over with the gloves after tea as Harold had taken a knock on the hand earlier - Harold stayed on and generally fielded at mid on) plus two from Solanki and an absolute stunner from Ansari - COMPULSORY to watch on Surrey tv!

For almost the first time in the 3 days, I think we're on top althogh narrowly. A shame we couldn't get the 7th wicket tonight that I greedily wanted. I can't see Kent declaring unless they bat out the morning and a bit beyond; if that does happen, we won't be allowed enough time to force a win. We therefore need those last 4 wickets quite quickly - within the first hour, I reckon. That would leave us needing about 290 - 300 in around 80 overs. Certainly doable although not a cakewalk even at Guildford.

Burning question GB...are you able to make it tomorrow?   

guildford - you've more than made up for it with that in depth 3rd day report!
No reports of any shootings, so I assume no-one was 'armed' after the 2nd day's transgressions!!!
I think that 7th wicket stand has swung the game marginally in Kent's favour!
Surprised we've only had 9 overs of spin (so far) in their 2nd Inns, although with the way Meaker's bowling, understandable!
We do need one last push from him (and/or others) to keep the 'chase' to less than 300 for a victory in my opinion. Otherwise, I'll take the draw
Enjoy if you make it there again guildford..................Come on the 'rey!

So Wilson gets injured and Burns takes over - what has happened to Davies?

kingdaveeagle wrote:So Wilson gets injured and Burns takes over - what has happened to Davies?

Dave - I suspect the answer to your question is in Davies' head.

Just arrived at the ground. Burns keeping again. He was good with the gloves yesterday but it's still not ideal as he will then be opening the batting on another baking day.

thegooch7 wrote:guildford - you've more than made up for it with that in depth 3rd day report!
No reports of any shootings, so I assume no-one was 'armed' after the 2nd day's transgressions!!!
I think that 7th wicket stand has swung the game marginally in Kent's favour!
Surprised we've only had 9 overs of spin (so far) in their 2nd Inns, although with the way Meaker's bowling, understandable!
We do need one last push from him (and/or others) to keep the 'chase' to less than 300 for a victory in my opinion. Otherwise, I'll take the draw
Enjoy if you make it there again guildford..................Come on the 'rey!

Thanks, Goochie.

The first hour will be vital. First quarter of that to Kent - now 250/6.

Ansari bowling (with Meaker) but not doing much so far.

No shootings!

Meaker bowling with tremedous pace gets an edge from the aggressive Haggett which is gobbled up by Burns. Meaker really wants this - his cry of celebration was probably heard at the Oval!

Made my first visit to Guildford yesterday. A lovely spot for County Champ cricket - once you get there (is Stoke d'Abernon really a place?) A sizeable crowd too with a notable sprinkling of younger fans. The school holidays might have a lot to do with that but it contrasted with Uxbridge a couple of weeks ago where a good crowd was overwhelmingly made up of bus pass holders. The temporary stands make for a different atmosphere to Uxbridge - slightly less relaxed, and harder to get really close to the action, but it feels more like there is something important happening!

It was Meaker's day, reminding us of how it is injuries more than anything that have help him back. Can't really add much to what guildford has already said - it was indeed a stunning catch from Ansari.

Report here - http://deepextracover.com/2014/07/22/meaker-wickets-leave-surrey-scenting-chance-of-victory/#.U8-UV1ZOjt0 and some quotes from Meaker here - http://deepextracover.com/2014/07/22/meaker-ive-shown-surrey-what-theyve-been-missing/

On a knife edge. An hour and 5 minutes gone. Kent 290/9, a lead of exactly 300. 2 wickets this mornig for Meaker and 1 for the ever toiling Viscount. Kent hanging on and declining singles to keep Riley off strike as much as possible. Billings playing very well.

Based on what I've seen this is such a fast-scoring ground that I think you can rule out the draw. Surrey favourites in my book.

7 wkts for meaks     
303 to win