Bicknell celebrates 1,000th wicket

Martin Bicknell has bowled thousands of better deliveries than that which dismissed Ian Thomas yesterday evening. But the veteran medium pacer did not seem to care as he celebrated with jubilant team-mates. When the Glamorgan opener carelessly drove a widish half-volley to the safe hands of Scott Newman at mid-off, he gave Bicknell his 1,000th first-class wicket for Surrey.

Martin Bicknell has bowled thousands of better deliveries than that which dismissed Ian Thomas yesterday evening. But the veteran medium pacer did not seem to care as he celebrated with jubilant team-mates. When the Glamorgan opener carelessly drove a widish half-volley to the safe hands of Scott Newman at mid-off, he gave Bicknell his 1,000th first-class wicket for Surrey.

The dismissal completed another day of total dominance for the south London side, and a second championship victory of the season should be completed today.

Bicknell was not the only Surrey player to place his name in the club's record books. Newman, a dashing opener, followed up a classy 117 in Surrey's first innings by posting the first double century of his career. The feat took his tally of runs in this one-sided game to 336. Walter Read, with 357 in 1899, and Bobby Abel, with 338 in 1888, are the only two Surrey batsmen to have scored more runs in a first-class match.

Newman's innings highlighted his potential but there will be plenty of occasions when he has to work far harder for runs. The left hander made the most of an excellent batting pitch and shoddy opponents, and peppered the 58-yard boundary on the Harleyford Road side of the ground. Once again his driving down the ground was superb, but as Surrey looked for quick runs he showed what a versatile player he is.

Newman's attitude and sloppy fielding failed to win over Rodney Marsh, the England selector and director of the National Academy, during the winter he spent with him in Loughborough. But should the talented youngster continue to bat as he has over the past three days he will surely interest the selectors.

While Newman blasted Glamorgan's dispirited attack around The Oval, Mark Ramprakash was gently easing his way towards a fourth century of the season. But with this landmark in sight the Surrey captain missed an in-swinger from Andrew Davies and was bowled for 97.

After reaching 200, Newman played two sensational leg-side clips off Davies, the second of which went sailing over square leg for six. But in attempting to play the same shot again he chipped a simple catch to Robert Croft at mid-off.

In came Alistair Brown, who rarely needs an excuse to go for his shots, and the lead of 458 gave him the licence he was looking for. In a whirlwind 42 the destructive right hander struck Dean Cosker into the first tier of the new OCS Stand before hitting Croft over the Bedser Stand.

* John Emburey has declined an offer to join the shortlist of applicants for the vacant Indian coaching job. The former England spinner was invited to travel to Delhi by The Board of Control for Cricket in India to be interviewed on 19 May. But Emburey has chosen to continue in his role as head coach at Middlesex CCC.