Banerjee spins Surrey to defeat

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Vikram Banerjee increases the pressure on Surrey as Gloucestershire sweep to victory with a day to spare at the Brit Oval

Vikram Banerjee’s maiden five-wicket haul secured a 77-run victory for Gloucestershire and condemned Surrey to a third LV= County Championship defeat in four games.

The left-arm spinner claimed 5-74 as Surrey were bowled out for 222 in pursuit of an unlikely 300 to win their Division Two clash at the Brit Oval.

It capped an impressive match for Banerjee. Although he bowled just two overs in Surrey’s first innings, he contributed a total of 51 runs from number nine, playing a key role in Gloucestershire’s lower-order resistance.

He provided able support to James Franklin, whose unbeaten 92 yesterday proved crucial in carrying Gloucestershire from the depths of 175 for eight to 248 all out.

Young Surrey pace bowler Stuart Meaker deserves credit for his return of 5-48, but Banerjee trumped him and hurried Gloucestershire to a second win of the campaign.

New Zealand all-rounder Franklin shared stands of 42 with Banerjee and 70 with Gemaal Hussain for the eight and ninth wickets respectively, before he ran out of partners eight runs short of his 11th first-class century. He had faced 133 balls and hit a six and nine fours.

Banerjee hung around for 16 overs before he was caught at backward square-leg off a short ball from Jade Dernbach and Hussain had been there 20 overs when he was leg before to Meaker.

Surrey’s response got off to a bad start when Gareth Batty was caught behind off Steve Kirby, and their hopes suffered a fatal blow as Mark Ramprakash went the same way against Franklin.

Arun Harinath was caught at short-leg off Banerjee, the left arm spinner, Rory Hamilton-Brown chipped Jon Lewis to short midwicket and Usman Afzaal was bowled trying to hit Banerjee over midwicket.

Chris Schofield - caught behind off Hussain - and Meaker - taken at slip off Banerjee - followed in quick succession and Surrey had slumped to 109 for seven before Steven Davies began to hit out in desperation.

James Franklin en route to a fine unbeaten 92. He added 90 for the ninth wicket with Gemaal Hussain to set Surrey 300 to win

He made 54 off 35 balls with eight fours and two sixes, only to hoist Banerjee to Franklin at long-on.

Although Iftikhar Anjum, who was badly dropped twice in the same over from Banerjee, and Chris Tremlett put on 49 for the last wicket - the last three wickets added a hugely important 113 - Banerjee sealed victory by having Iftikhar taken at slip.