Set-back to Surrey

Monday 05 May 2008 | Steve Finn

After winning our first two games we were in a great position to push on and get into the quarter-finals.

Unfortunately, a defeat to Surrey means we are in a scrap to finish in the top two.

On Sunday we had bad starts to both our batting and bowling innings. Batting first we were reduced to nine for three, then 55 for five due to some accurate bowling on a fresh wicket at the top of the slope at Lord’s.

We recovered well to post 233 for eight from our allotted overs, Gareth Berg making 65 and Ben Scott 52, being ably supported by Vernon Philander and Tim Murtagh at the death.

Again, as at the Oval, their openers came hard at us with the new ball and we struggled to contain their attacking natures - their first wicket fell for 87 after 16 overs.

They had laid solid foundations to their innings but we managed to peg the scoring rate back in the following overs with Philander bowling particularly well.

However, this did not manage to slow the rate enough and Surrey chased down the runs with three overs to spare - an eternity in this form of the game.

The atmosphere at Lord’s was good with people enjoying the Bank Holiday cricket.

Personally my performance wasn’t where I wanted it to be - 9-2-50-0 is nowhere near the standards I have set myself for this season. I will be looking to rectify this against Essex on Sunday after being rested for the game against Sussex on the Monday.

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