MATCH REPORT | Surrey v Essex

Tom Westley’s 108 not out, and an equally fine innings of 77 from Nick Browne, took Essex to the emphatic eight-wicket victory against Surrey at Guildford which takes them to the top of the Specsavers County Championship Division One table.

Needing 253, from a minimum of 83 overs, after they had bowled Surrey out a second time for 288 earlier in the day, Essex reached 253 for 2 little more than half-an-hour after tea and always looked totally in control despite a wearing last day pitch.

Westley was joined in an unbroken third wicket partnership of 105 in 27 overs by Dan Lawrence, who finished unbeaten on 32. Essex took 24 points from their third win of the season, with Surrey having to settle for seven.

Since gaining promotion last year, Essex have surprised the rest of the first division with their early-season success – but this was a comprehensive win against a team who themselves led Division One until the last round of matches and was achieved despite seamer Matt Quinn suffering a back spasm on day one which has prevented him from bowling since.

Essex began their chase well, with a half-century stand posted by Browne and Alastair Cook. But Cook was out on the stroke of lunch for 31 when, having just driven Ravi Rampaul to the cover boundary, he was drawn into another off drive and edged to Scott Borthwick at second slip.

Browne was eventually caught at slip from one which turned and bounced, playing back to Gareth Batty’s off spin, but not before he and Westley had added a further 95 for the second wicket. The tall left-hander had faced just 96 balls, hitting 13 fours, and in the latter half of his innings he produced some quality strokes – including an effortless straight drive for four to greet Stuart Meaker’s introduction into the attack and then a dismissive short-armed pull to the boundary off Ravi Rampaul.

Batty’s off spin did not trouble the Essex batsmen in the same way that former South Africa Test off spinner Simon Harmer had made Surrey battle for runs in his second innings return of 4 for 83 from 39 overs.

Westley moved to 97 with three successive fours off Scott Borthwick’s leg spin, and then completed three figures with a pull for four off Meaker. His hundred came from 162 balls and, overall, he faced 168 balls, hitting 17 fours.

In the morning Ben Foakes finished unbeaten on 65, from 149 balls, as Surrey added just 35 runs to their overnight 253 for 7 before the innings ended in a rush of poor shots and crazy running.

Meaker drove a half-volley from left arm paceman Neil Wagner to extra cover to go for 14, and two balls later Rampaul clipped the same bowler to backward square leg.

Foakes was then left stranded when he drove Wagner down the ground, looking for two, but Lawrence moved quickly to his right at long off to field and return to the bowler and there was never any chance of a second run. Footitt, however, turning blind, set off for the second even though Foakes had clearly decided against it, and Wagner lobbed the ball down the pitch for keeper James Foster to whip off the bails with Footitt helpless in mid-pitch.

Day Four | Tea Report

Nick Browne’s 77, and Tom Westley’s 61 not out, took Essex into tea within 67 runs of the victory against Surrey at Guildford which would take them to the top of the Specsavers County Championship Division One table.

Needing 253, from a minimum of 83 overs, after they had bowled Surrey out a second time for 288 earlier in the day, Essex were 186 for 2 at the interval and looking totally in control despite a wearing last day pitch.

Browne was caught at slip from one which turned and bounced, playing back to Gareth Batty’s off spin, but not before he and Westley had added 95 for the second wicket.

Alastair Cook was out on the stroke of lunch for 31, and having just driven Ravi Rampaul to the cover boundary he was drawn into another off drive and edged to Scott Borthwick at second slip.

Ben Foakes finished unbeaten on 65, from 149 balls, as Surrey added just 35 runs to their overnight 253 for 7 before the innings ended in a rush of poor shots and crazy running.

Stuart Meaker drove a half-volley from left arm paceman Neil Wagner to extra cover to go for 14, and two balls later Rampaul clipped the same bowler to backward square leg.

Foakes was then left stranded when he drove Wagner down the ground, looking for two, but Dan Lawrence moved quickly to his right at long off to field and return to the bowler and there was never any chance of a second run. Footitt, however, turning blind, set off for the second even though Foakes had clearly decided against it, and Wagner lobbed the ball down the pitch for keeper James Foster to whip off the bails with Footitt helpless in mid-pitch.

Day Four | Lunch Report 

Alastair Cook was out on the stroke of lunch as Essex, bidding to go top of the Specsavers County Championship Division One table by beating Surrey at Guildford, reached 53 for 1 at the interval in pursuit of a win target of 253 from a minimum of 83 overs.

Cook, on 31, and having just driven Ravi Rampaul to the cover boundary, was drawn into another off drive and edged to Scott Borthwick at second slip. Nick Browne was 18 not out.

Previously, there had been few alarms for Cook and Browne, the Essex openers, as they saw off Mark Footitt and Sam Curran’s new ball bursts and also dealt comfortably with the early introduction of Surrey captain Gareth Batty’s off spin.

Ben Foakes finished unbeaten on 65, from 149 balls, in Surrey’s second innings 288, and the home side added just 35 runs to their overnight 253 for 7 before the innings ended in a rush of poor shots and crazy running.

Stuart Meaker drove a half-volley from left arm paceman Neil Wagner to extra cover to go for 14, and two balls later Rampaul clipped the same bowler to Ryan ten Doeschate, who was stationed at backward square leg.

Foakes was then left stranded when he drove Wagner down the ground, looking for two, but Dan Lawrence moved quickly to his right at long off to field and return to the bowler and there was never any chance of a second run. Footitt, however, turning blind, set off for the second even though Foakes had clearly decided against it, and Wagner lobbed the ball down the pitch for keeper James Foster to whip off the bails with Footitt helpless in mid-pitch.

Day Three Reaction | Simon Harmer in the wickets on Day Three

Day Three | Close of Play Report

Essex are in a strong position going into the final day of their Specsavers County Championship match with Surrey after the home side ended the day on 253 for 7 and an overall lead of 217 with three wickets intact.

Jamie Porter and Simon Harmer shared 6 wickets as the Surrey batsmen struggled against the contrasting bowling of the duo. Pacemen, Porter started the home side’s problems just before lunch when he removed first innings Mark Stoneman for 10. He edged the ball sharply to second slip where Harmer parried the ball to leave first slip Alastair Cook to complete the catch.

Rory Burns and Scott Borthwick set about recovering the early blow with a vigilant stand of 92 in 29 overs until Borthwick pushed forward to Harmer and was caught at short leg by Dan Lawrence for 36.

That brought the influential Kumar Sangakkara to the middle with much hinging on his shoulders.

Before he had got off the mark, he was beaten flashing outside off against Porter. He composed himself after that indiscretion.

Burns passed a watchful half-century but then, having arrived at 57 chased a leg-side delivery from Porter to give Foster a comfortable catch.

Now 158 for 3, Surrey were looking for a substantial contribution from Sangakkara.

He had made his way to 26 against a well-set fieldbut then he was beaten by classic off-spinner’s delivery that turned, found the edge and Foster did the rest.

Sangakkara, who had scored five successive Championship centuries including a double hundred at Chelmsford last week when the teams met, had the sequence ended by Tom Westley who took a return catch in the batsman’s second innings in that match.

Fast forward a week to Guildford and Jamie Porter found the edge to send the prolific batsman on his way for 4 in the first innings and then Simon Harmer undid him with a classic off-spinner’s delivery. With his score on 26, he pushed forward but failed to beat the turn and was caught by James Foster.

Sibley posted 28 before Harmer claimed the final two wickets of the day. He had Sam Crran caught by sub-fielder Callum Taylor for 4 at short extra cover and then Gareth Batty was caught at short leg for 19 leaving the home sid 19 as Surrey recoiled 241 for 7. Ben Foakes played admirably to survive and he will resume needing 3 runs for his half-century in the morning.

Earlier Ryan ten Doeschate scored an unbeaten 168 to lead Essex to a first innings lead of 36 runs in the Specsavers County Championship Division One clash at Woodbridge Road, Guildford.

It was ten Doeschate’s highest first-class score for his county beating his 164 against Sri Lanka and he was soon in celebratory mood again when Jamie Porter collected an early wicket. Bowling to first innings centurion Mark Stoneman who had just moved into double figures, the paceman found the edge and the ball was parried by Simon Harmer at second slip allowing Alastair Cook at first slip to complete the catch.

The free-scoring Woodbridge Road ground must rank as one of ten Doeschate’s favourites around the Championship circuit. His previous best in the competition was also recorded against Surrey at Guildford and that was back in 2009 when he struck 159 not out.

Now he ensured his side would not only gain a slender first innings advantage but importantly, would claim maximum batting points.

He started the day with Essex 367 for 7 and with 120 to his name whilst overnight partner Neil Wagner was 20 not out.

Wagner scored 34 in an eighth wicket stand of 72 that took the visitors to within 2 runs of a fifth batting point but ten Doeschate struck a leg-side boundary to bring up the 400 and full bonus points for his side.

Porter contributed 6 and although Quinn failed to score, he remained at the crease for37 minutes to accompany his skipper to his landmark score.

Day Three | Tea Report

At the tea interval, Surrey had moved onto 141 for 3 in their second innings representing an overall lead of 105 runs. The prolific scoring Kumar Sangakkara has 23 although the Sri Lankan Test player almost lost his wicket before he got off the mark.

Facing Jamie Porter, he was beaten outside the off stump and in the bowler’s next over, he flashed hard and the ball flew off the inside edge down to the boundary.

However, that was the last encouragement he was prepared to offer the visitors attack who were missing Matt Quinn with a back injury.

Meanwhile opener Rory Burns completed a watchful half-century from 105 balls that embraced 8 fours but with his score on 57, he chased a ball from Porter down the leg-side and was pouched by James Foster to leave the home side 128 for 3.

At the break, Porter had figures of 2 for 32 and Harmer 1 for 28, both having bowled 13 overs.

The home side added 121 runs to their lunch score in the process of losing two further wickets.

Earlier in the day, Ryan ten Doeschate posted an unbeaten 168, a career-best for his County who were finally bowled out for 435 and were able to claim maximum batting points to add to their full house of bowling bonus points.

Day Three | Lunch Report

Ryan ten Doeschate scored an unbeaten 168 to lead Essex to a first innings lead of 36 runs in the Specsavers County Championship Division One clash at Woodbridge Road, Guildford.

At lunch, the home side were 20 for 1 with Rory Burns not out 8 and Scott Borthwick still to get off the mark.

It was ten Doeschate’s highest first-class score for his county beating his 164 against Sri Lanka and he was soon in celebratory mood again when Jamie Porter collected an early wicket. Bowling to first innings centurion Mark Stoneman who had just moved into double figures, the paceman found the edge and the ball was parried by Simon Harmer at second slip allowing Alastair Cook at first slip to complete the catch.

Mention Woodbridge Road to the all-rounder and his eyes will surely light up. His previous best in the Championship was also recorded against Surrey at Guildford and that was back in 2009 when he struck 159 not out. Captain ten Doeschate ensured his side would not only gain a slender first innings advantage but importantly, would claim maximum batting points.

He started the day with Essex 367 for 7 and with 120 to his name whilst overnight partner Neil Wagner was 20 not out. The pair dealt in boundaries from the start of play collecting six fours in the first 4 overs to extend their partnership to 72 before Wagner followed a ball from Sam Curran down the leg side and was caught by Ben Foakes for 34.

The visitors were still 2 runs short of their fifth batting point when 8th wicket fell but ten Doeschate completed the quest with a boundary behind the wicket on the leg side.

Jamie Porter accompanied the Essex skipper to his 150 that spanned 175 balls with 23 fours and 1 six but having scored 6, Porter had his stumps re-arranged by Stuart Meaker to leave the visitors 423 for 9.

Matt Quinn, unable to bowl because of a back problem held out for 37 minutes without scoring, before he lost his middle stump to Ravi Rampaul leaving ten Doeschate unbeaten and having overseen the addition of 301 runs during his time at the crease.

Day Two Reaction | Ryan ten Doeschate

Day Two | Close of Play Report

A chanceless unbeaten century from Ryan ten Doeschate carried Essex to 367 for 7 at the conclusion of an absorbing day’s cricket in reply to Surrey’s 399 all out  in the Specsavers County Championship clash at Guildford.

Ten Doeschate provided the cornerstone of the innings having chosen the ideal moment to record his first Championship “ton” of the summer. He arrived in the middle with his side 134 for 4 and with Surrey holding the initiative but by the close, the honours between the teams had been evenly shared with ten Doeschate 120 not out.

Playing in his usual forceful manner, the Essex skipper cut and drove freely and safely reaching his half-century from 73 balls that included 10 boundaries. His next 50 spanned a further 47 deliveries with six more fours and a six adding to his boundary tally.

He figured in the showpiece stand of the Essex reply, a fifth wicket collusion with Ravi Bopara as 120 runs were posted for the fifth wicket. During their alliance in the middle, they revived the innings with a stand that ensured the follow-on would be averted and also brought Essex two batting points.

Bopara proved technically sound and selective in driving to reach a well-deserved half-century, his first of the season in the competition. He had struck 2 sixes and 7 fours in an innings of 64 and spanning 74 balls when he offered no shot to a ball from Stuart Meaker and was leg before wicket. That left the visitors 254 for 5.

Ten Doeschate though continued to master the bowling, lacing his innings with some wonderfully clean-hit drives and finding the gaps in the field to gather ones and twos.

The early part of the Essex innings had proved frustrating with the top four playing themselves in but then failing to go an on and post a substantial score.

Nick Browne and Alastair Cook had launched their side’s reply with a half-century stand but then, facing the final ball before lunch, Cook (31) was trapped in the crease when facing Sam Curran.

Tom Westley and Browne advanced the total onto 90 but then Westley, having executed a number of well-timed drives edged a ball from Mark Footitt into the gloves of former Essex wicket-keeper/batsman Ben Foakes.

Browne drove through the covers with authority batting with good sense until he went back and across his stumps to off-spinner Gareth Batty and was leg before wicket for 43 to leave Essex 121 for 3.

Thirteen runs later, Dan Lawrence, who had looked in commanding form, fell for 21 when he chased a wider delivery from Batty to be caught by Curran at backward point. That heralded the arrival of ten Doeschate to join Bopara in a stand that revived the innings.

James Foster nibbled at a ball from Footitt and was caught by Foakes for 12 whilst Simon Harmer scored 20 in a 47 runs stand with ten Doeschate before he too edged to Foakes.

Wagner though provided solid support with 20 including a flashing cut for 4 off the final ball of the day and helped his captain post a fourth batting point in an eight wicket stand of 41 that will resume in the morning.

Essex captured the remaining five overnight Surrey wickets for 46 runs in the morning session with Jamie Porter and Wagner doing the damage to finish with figures of 4 for 102 and 3 for 110 respectively.

However, it was Bopara who brought Mark Stoneman’s marathon innings spanning 6 hours and 26 minutes to an end. The batsman had helped himself to a career-best score and was within three runs of a double-century when he flashed outside off stump to give Foster a catch.

Day Two | Tea Report

Essex added 134 runs in the afternoon session whilst losing three wickets to reach the tea interval on 189 for 4 with Ravi Bopara and Ryan ten Doeschate both 31 not out.

It was to prove a frustrating session for a number of the visiting batsmen who all looked well-established without going on to post a significant contribution. The visitors had lost the wicket of Alastair Cook to the final ball before lunch but Nick Browne and Tom Westley, soon collected runs on the fast-scoring ground.

The pair had taken the score onto 90 thanks to their 35 runs stand in 10 overs when Westley departed for 22. Facing pace man Mark Footitt, he edged a catch behind the wicket to bring an end to a promising innings that included a number of well-timed drives.

Dan Lawrence arrived in the middle and soon showed a confident and positive approach, hitting spinner Gareth Batty over wide mid-on for the first 6 of the innings.

Meanwhile, Browne was gathering runs in a careful manner although was quick to pounce on the looser delivery and it was something of a surprise when his innings of 43 came to a close. Facing Batty, he went on the back foot and across his stumps to be beaten by turn and was lbw to leave the visitors 121 for 3.

That became 134 for 4 with a second wicket for Batty and it was Lawrence who was the latest victim. He had made a solid 21 when he chased a wider delivery from Batty but only succeeded in driving the ball into the hand of Sam Curran at backward point.

That brought ten Doeschate to the wicket to join Bopara and the pair averted any further damage with an unbroken partnership worth 55 runs, capitalising on a number of opportunities to cut and drive.

Day Two | Lunch Report

After Surrey had been bowled out for 399 in the Specsavers County Championship Division One clash at Guildford, Essex openers Alastair Cook and Nick Browne launched the innings with an untroubled half-century stand but the England left-hander fell to the final ball before lunch.

Facing Sam Curran, he was as trapped in the crease to be dismissed for 31 leaving Nick Browne 22 not out and the visitors 55 for 1 after 13 overs.

It took the Essex attack just 75 minutes to claim the remaining five wickets to dismiss Surrey and take their full allocation of bowling points with Jamie Porter ending with 4 for 102 and Neil Wagner 3 for 110.

The home side had resumed on 353 for 5 with opener Mark Stoneman 181 not out and Surrey on course for a substantial score. The Essex attack was again weakened by the absence of Matt Quinn, suffering a back spasm but fine bowling by Porter and Wagner with the second new ball –  taken immediately upon the resumption of play –  ended Surrey’s hopes of a daunting total.

Wagner claimed the first wicket of the day in the fourth over when Sam Curran was squared up by a delivery and was lbw for 65. That brought an end to his entertaining innings spanning 71 deliveries, including 12 boundaries and concluding a sixth wicket stand of 88 with Stoneman.

The latter moved past 187, his previous highest first-class score,  but soon after Gareth Batty became the second casualty of the morning when driving a ball from Ravi Bopara to substitute Callum Taylor at cover.

The last three wickets fell in the space of 12 balls, starting with Stoneman who was within three runs of a double-century when he drove loosely outside off against Wagner and gave a catch to James Foster.That left Surrey 396 for 8.

Ravi Rampaul edged Porter into the gloves of Foster and four balls later, Mark Footitt chipped a delivery from the bowler to mid-on where Ryan ten Doeschate leapt high to claim take the catch.

Day One Reaction | Chris Silverwood

Interview courtesy of BBC Essex

Day One | Close of Play Report

Mark Stoneman scored a chanceless unbeaten 181 to continue his impressive form for new county Surrey as they took the first-day honours against Essex at Guildford.

The 29-year-old left-hander’s third century since he moved to the club from Durham last winter helped them reach 353 for 5 after they had been put in by Essex in the battle between two sides looking to put pressure on Division One leaders Hampshire.

Stoneman still has ambitions to play for England and is certainly the in-form opener in the country at the moment. Former England captain Alastair Cook, who had the best view in the house at first slip, would have been impressed with the quality of Stoneman’s ball-striking, particularly square of the wicket and through the off side.

He did not offer a chance against an Essex attack depleted by the absence of seamer Matt Quinn for much of a rain-shortened day after he went off with back spasms.

Stoneman watched three partners depart at the other end before sharing a stand of 186 in 41 overs with Dominic Sibley, whose 69 was his third Championship half-century of the season, to alter the course of the day.

Jamie Porter had claimed two wickets with the new ball, including Kumar Sangakkara for just four, to help reduce Surrey to 89 for 3 after morning rain had delayed the start until 1.10pm.

Porter claimed his 150^th first-class wicket when Rory Burns (14) swished outside off stump before picking up Sangakkara, who came into the game with 876 first-class runs already this season but aimed an expansive drive at Porter and fell for just four. With Neil Wagner drawing Scott Borthwick (14) forward and finding the edge Essex would have been pleased with their early work.

But Stoneman was soon into his stride. He collected leg-side sixes off Porter and off-spinner Simon Harmer, who bowled 17 overs either side of tea, and 15 boundaries in a 118-ball hundred which he reached shortly after tea.

His next 50 came off 55 deliveries and he passed his previous best for Surrey, 165 against Warwickshire in the opening game of the season, when he drove a ball from Ravi Bopara back past the bowler to the boundary.

Sibley was starting to plck up the pace, having reached 50 off 99 balls, when Essex captain Ryan ten Doeschate dragged Surrey back with two wickets in successive overs.

Sibley, who hit nine fours and two sixes, was caught behind off ten Doeschate’s sixth ball and in his next over he trapped former Essex team-mate Ben Foakes (4) leg before as Foakes played across the line.

But Sam Curran gave Stoneman excellent support and reached a 54-ball half-century with his tenth boundary in the last over of the day. The pair have added 73 for the sixth wicket so far, Stoneman having so far faced 221 balls with 21 fours and two sixes.

Day One | Tea Report

An unbeaten 90 from opener Mark Stoneman put Surrey in a decent position on a rain-affected first day in their Specsavers County Championship match against second-placed Essex at Guildford.

Rain delayed the start until 1.10pm and Essex’s decision to bowl first looked to have been justified when they reduced Surrey to 89 for 3 in the 22nd over.

Jamie Porter took his 150^th first-class wicket when Rory Burns (14) swished outside off stump and in his second spell the 24-year-old picked up the key wicket of Kumar Sangakkara, who came into the game with 876 first-class runs this season.

The Sri Lankan made just four before aiming a big drive outside off stump to be caught at slip by Alastair Cook. With Scott Borthwick (14) caught behind pushing forward to Neil Wagner Surrey were in a spot of bother.

But Sangakkara and Dominic Sibley put on an unbroken 57 for the fourth wicket with Borthwick hitting 13 fours and two sixes, one off Porter and the other off Simon Harmer, as they reached 146 for 3 at tea.

Essex suffered a blow just before tea when Matt Quinn was unable to complete his tenth over because of injury.

Day One | Lunch Report