DAY THREE - CLOSE OF PLAY
MIDDLESEX 339 a/o & 254/9d
SURREY 276/4d & 314/7
MATCH DRAWN
Continuing on 137/4 on the final day's play at LSE, Middlesex lost a wicket early in the day as Scott was caught by Hall off McKerr for 35. Useful parternships further along the innings helped Middlesex to keep the scoreboard ticking at a steady rate, despite the loss of wickets and with the visitors on 234/8, Middlesex looked in commanding condition. The last wicket to fall was Harris, who starred and top scored for the hosts with a superb 146 off 169 deliveries, as Middlesex took the decision to declare on 254/9.
Trailing by 317 runs, Surrey knew what was needed in order to salvage something at LSE. The hosts got off to a brilliant start, reaching 118 runs before losing Harinath who retired hurt. However, this did not deter the hosts as they continued to pile the runs on the scoreboard. Things looked good for the hosts at 274/3, before top scorer Welch was caught by Coleman off the bowling of Holden. McKerr came and went for 6, before a useful 31 run partnership from Hall and the impressive van den Bergh kept the scoreboard ticking. Surrey's final two wickets fell in successive balls before both teams eventually shook hands on an entertaining draw.
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DAY TWO - CLOSE OF PLAY
MIDDLESEX 339 a/o & 137/4
SURREY 276/4d
Continuing the day on 30/0, Surrey got off to a disappointing start as Welch was caught by Lace off the bowling of Harris, with the hosts on 54/1. However, a superb 121 run partnership between Woods and Harinath strengthened Surrey's position in the game before Woods fell victim to Harris. With Pope the new man at the crease, Surrey were able enjoy another fruitful partnership of 48, before the impressive Harinath was finally dismissed, caught by Davies off the bowling of Baharami. Pope himself was sent back to the pavilion shortly after, before Surrey took the surprise decision to declare on 276/4.
In reply, Middlesex got off to a nightmare start, losing trio Holden, Lace and Andersson with just 11 runs added to the scoreboard. A useful 32 run partnership between Perera and Harris somewhat stabilised the Middlesex innings, before the former was trapped LBW by Currie. With Scott the new man at the crease, he was able to forge a strong partnership with the impressive Harris, as Middlesex ended the day on 137/4.
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DAY ONE - CLOSE OF PLAY
MIDDLESEX 339 a/o
SURREY 30/0
After winning the toss and electing to field at LSE, Surrey got off to a great start in the London derby as Currie dismissed Lace in the third over with just 5 runs on the scoreboard. Harris then joined Holden at the crease and the pair enjoyed a solid 82 run partnership to strengthen the visitors innings, before the latter was dismissed by Richardson for 51. Harris fell soon after as Middlesex went into lunch on 159/3. However, with Andersson joining Perera at the crease, the batsmen put on a superb 104 partnership to swing the game back in the visitors favour. With Andersson falling for 61 and Perera 64, Middlesex were 265/6 at tea, as the visitors looked to gain a commanding lead against their London rivals. Strong tail-end partnerships allowed the visitors to continue adding runs to the board, with Davies particularly impressing with a very useful 56, as Middlesex were eventually bowled out for a very healthy 339 after just over 91 overs.
In response, Welch and Harinath opened the batting for Surrey as they looked to chase down the hefty total set for them by Middlesex. The hosts ended on 30/0 at close, with Day Two promising to provide further entertainment.
