Keedy cashes in as Surrey succumb in sorry style
Lancashire 592-4 dec Surrey 270 and 267 Lancashire win by an innings and 55 runs
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.It is to be hoped that Surrey will conduct an inquest into their side's performance against Lancashire. It would be hard to imagine a more shoddy or unprofessional display by a group of talented individuals who began the season with serious designs on the Championship title.
Their bowling on the first two days was a disgrace and their batting has been slightly worse. With such an exciting end to the Championship brewing, it would be appalling if Surrey were to surrender to Kent at Canterbury in their last game as they have just done against Lancashire.
Starting the day 338 runs behind at 254 for 7, they had no chance of avoiding the follow-on but pride should have dictated that the last three wickets should hold up Lancashire for as long as possible. But in the very first over Ian Salisbury, who has had a dreadful game, chopped Peter Martin's fourth ball into his stumps and Joey Benjamin edged the sixth to first slip.
Pride did not dictate very much more in the second innings either. Darren Bicknell was immediately lbw playing across the line at Martin, but then Mark Butcher and Jason Ratcliffe buckled down to it for a while, adding 81 before Butcher was lbw coming forward and playing no stroke at Mike Watkinson.
A storm at lunch claimed 13 overs and as soon as play restarted Alec Stewart tried to pull a long hop from Watkinson, missed and was lbw. Alistair Brown threatened to restore some order but in the first over after tea he square-cut another Watkinson long hop to backward point.
The Hollioakes were as pathetic as anyone. Adam drove over a straight half-volley and Ben pushed with firm wrists at one which Gary Keedy (orthodox left-arm spin) turned and was caught at slip. In view of the faith shown in them both by the selectors, these two should be performing. When Ratcliffe, whose determination was impressive, was bowled round his legs sweeping at Keedy when 10 runs short of his hundred, that was effectively that. Keedy's steady bowling brought him six wickets in the innings and 10 in the match.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments