Essex 2nd XI v Surrey 2nd XI
Second XI Championship
Billericay CC, Monday 19 – Thursday 22 April
Team News:
Essex 2nd XI: Varun Chopra, Will Buttleman (wk), Michael Pepper (c), Feroze Khushi, Josh Rymell, Robin Das, Joe MacGregor, Aaron Beard, Shane Snater, Jack Plom, Matt Quinn.
Other players used: Aron Nijjar, Eshun Kalley.
Surrey 2nd XI: Laurie Evans, Ryan Patel (c), Will Jacks, Nico Reifer, Justin Broad, Ben Geddes, Liam Plunkett, George Ealham, Conor McKerr, Daniel Moriarty, James Taylor.
Other players used: Billy Mead (wk).
Match Details:
Umpires: Robert White and Gary Marshall
Toss: Surrey 2nd XI won and elected to bat first
Result: Essex 2nd XI won by an innings and 150 runs
The Essex Second XI returned to action at Billericay and recorded a sizable Championship victory over a Surrey side which included England 2019 World Cup winner, Liam Plunkett.
Matt Quinn and Shane Snater starred with the ball, with Quinn claiming 4/37 and Snater taking 3/36 as Surrey were dismissed for 231 in their first innings. Aaron Beard was also amongst the wickets, with 2/45, whilst Ben Geddes top-scored for the visitors, hitting 68 off 160 deliveries, a knock which included ten boundaries.
The home side took complete control with Varun Chopra and Will Buttleman both reaching three figures. Chopra hit 109 off 205 deliveries, while wicket-keeper batsman Buttleman reached 112 during his 338 minutes in the middle, which also coincided with his 21st birthday.
Beard rattled 78, while Michael Pepper and Josh Rymell chipped in with 77 and 64 respectively before Essex made the declaration having amassed 581 runs, holding a lead of 350. Daniel Moriarty was the standout bowler for the visitors, with figures of 4/159 as the Surrey attack were given plenty to think about.
Essex got the job done bowling out Surrey for 200, with Quinn taking his match figures to 7/85 and Snater 6/62. Visiting skipper Ryan Patel offered some resistance with 74 off 147, while Conor McKerr was unbeaten on 58. But with those around them falling relatively cheaply, the result never really looked in doubt.
Essex return to Second XI County Championship action on Monday 03 May when Yorkshire are the visitors to Billericay Cricket Club in a fixture to be played behind closed doors.
Report courtesy of Brian Jeeves
