Surrey Vs Hampshire, Day 4: English weather steals Hampshire’s much awaited win at the Oval
After an exciting fight back from Hampshire, the final day of this Rothesay County Championship Division 1 clash between Surrey and Hampshire ended in a draw, as once again bad weather came to end the game early.
It was a slightly clearer morning in south London as Hampshire came out to chase down their target of 377. Sunday had multiple interruptions and delays due to the weather, yet Surrey powered through with the bat and declared their innings at 342-9. Hampshire came to bat in the final few overs of day 3, struggling in the swinging conditions, losing their opener Mark Stoneman and their two nightwatchmen, Brad Wheal and Sonny Baker, as their score stood at 35-3 at stumps.
Session 1
Hampshire started strong as Fletcha Middleton got a boundary on just the second delivery of the day against Kemar Roach. Despite heavy movement from Roach and Dan Worrall, Middleton and Nick Gubbins were squeezing out gaps to maintain Hampshire’s run rate. The pair dictated the first half of the session as they got to a 50 run stand in the 29th over.
Jordan Clark came into the attack, with Matthew Fisher at the other end to bring in some change in favour of Surrey, which did pay off as Fisher dismissed Middleton for 42. The moving conditions finally came in favour of the bowlers as an inswing struck Middleton’s pads for an LBW.
The end of that 74 run partnership really disrupted Hampshire’s tempo, as new batter, Toby Albert was taking time to settle in. Gubbins was still slowly working his way through the tight bowling, reaching his half century in the 42nd over. Five overs later, umpires called for lunch, ending the fairly even first session.
Overs-31
Runs-86
Wickets-1
Session 2
From a level morning session, to a dominant afternoon for the visitors, Hampshire took control of the game after lunch. Albert quickly familiarised himself with the pitch, comfortably taking on the Surrey bowling, rattling the home side, as the bowlers desperately experimented with their line and lengths, losing the rhythm they had in the morning session.
Albert and Gubbins bounced off each other very well, bringing up a 100 run partnership. Shortly after, Albert got to his 50, a great innings where he picked his moments to score. Gubbins had the misfortune to wait for his century, as he had to temporarily head back to the pavilion on 97 not out as the umpires called for tea.
The match was now well in Hampshire’s hands with this fifth wicket partnership. However with another 161 needed, and only one session in hand, an open ended final session was teed up for both sides.
Overs-31
Runs-95
Wickets-0
Session 3
Surrey didn’t waste any time and asked for a new ball as 80 overs had passed in the innings. Clouds started surrounding the Oval once again, helping the Surrey pace attack pile pressure against Hampshire. Amidst the reinvigorated bowling, Gubbins finally got to his century and the runs were still coming, albeit slowly. The new ball inevitably did get the break through for Surrey, as Gubbins fell victim to Fisher’s inswing, an LBW after a valiant knock of 117.
Runs still didn’t stop flowing for Hampshire, as number seven, Tom Prest kept rotating the strike with the settled Albert. Tensions continued to run high, but in came the thick clouds to ruin the day again as with 78 runs needed and 10 overs remaining, bad light stopped play.
The umpires raised hopes for Hampshire for a split second as the players came out with four overs reduced. However, after just two balls they decided to call it a day, an anticlimactic draw to end this fixture. Gutting for Hampshire, who got to 300 on the final ball of the match.
Regardless, a fantastic County match between previous season’s top two sides. Spoils were shared, with both teams getting eight points each for the draw. Surrey did however walk away with four extra points compared to Hampshire’s three, a small win for the home side.
Overs-24.2
Runs-84
Wickets-1
Looking ahead at the upcoming fixtures, Surrey need to be weary after the sub par bowling display in the second innings as they head to Hove on Friday to take on Sussex, who are coming off a thumping 260 run win against Somerset.
Hampshire on the other hand will be more pleased with this draw. A strong bowling performance on Sunday, followed by a resilient batting force on Monday, inches away from securing their first win at the Oval in 17 years, overall a result to be proud of. They will head back home to Southampton to play Somerset on Friday.
