Bicknell takes 1000th first-class wicket

Martin Bicknell: 1000th wicket © Getty Images Enlarge

Martin Bicknell took his 1000th first-class wicket when he had Matthew Dennington caught behind by wicketkeeper Jonathan Batty on the final day of Surrey's Championship match against Kent at The Oval today. It was Batty's ninth catch of the match.

Bicknell was made to wait for the wicket, and the mounted-ball trophy which had been on standby in the Surrey dressing-room for much of yesterday afternoon was finally unveiled. He should have reached the landmark shortly before tea on Thursday, but Azhar Mahmood split a routine second-slip chance from Michael Carberry.

Bicknell, 35, made his debut for Surrey in 1986 and has been their most reliable bowler for more than a decade. He played four Tests for England, two in 1993 and two last season after a decade on the sidelines.

"To reach 1000 first-class wickets is a hell of an achievement for any bowler and one I've targeted since I went past 700 about five years ago," Bicknell told the Surrey Advertiser. "My dream has always been to do it at The Oval, my home ground, but you can't get too choosy really. I had a few problems with my hamstring at the start of this season but the ball is coming out well now."