Confident Surrey contained by spinners

Chris Schofield Photo © Graham Chadwick / AllSport

Surrey justified their decision to bat first with an opening stand of 80 and then lost wickets to the turning ball as the combination of off-spinner Gary Yates and leg-spinner Chris Schofield rocked them back on their heels.

Alec Stewart had set the scoring pace early for Surrey with his confident stroke-play and was well supported by Ian Ward. But having got off to a fine start, Stewart, just one short of his half-century, attempted to square-cut left-arm spinner, Gary Keedy but chopped the ball on to his stumps.

The next two wickets went in quick succession with Yates drawing Ward out of his crease to be smartly stumped and then he had Alistair Brown caught from a reverse sweep. Surrey were 109 for 3.

Thorpe steadies innings after wickets fall

Thirty runs later, the Hollioake brothers fell in the same over. Schofield first bowled Adam as he tried to sweep him and four balls later Ben went down the wicket, missed the ball and wicket-keeper Warren Hegg did the rest.

Graham Thorpe meanwhile picked up the runs steadily and when he was finally caught at deep mid-wicket off a full toss from Schofield, for 55 from 67 balls, Surrey were 182 for seven.

With the help of Ian Salisbury, 21 not out, Surrey eventually reached 210 without further loss, from 50 overs.

With Martin Bicknell out of the side with a back injury that he picked up in the nets yesterday, Surrey's bowlers will need to bowl with great control to contain Lancashire.