Peters lifts Northants before hailstorm intervenes

Northamptonshire 107 for 2 (Peters 64*) v Surrey
Scorecard

Stephen Peters hit his fourth half century of the Championship season but after an opening day washout, only 28 overs were possible on the second day of the Division Two match at Wantage Road. Peters made 64 not out before a hail storm during the tea interval ended proceedings for the day.

With Kevin Pietersen unavailable, Chris Tremlett injured and Matt Dunn rested, Surrey gave a debut to on- loan bowler Luke Fletcher when play began in mid-afternoon, with Stuart Meaker coming in for his first Championship game of the season.

Fletcher struck in his fourth over in Surrey colours, trapping Coetzer lbw for three. Peters made it through the tough opening and soon found his stride, taking nine off Meaker's first over, and another three boundaries followed off Fletcher to bring up the Northants 50 in the 15th over.

It was more testing for Northants captain Alex Wakely and having survived a loud lbw appeal off Fletcher and edging the same bowler through the slips, he eventually fell for eight, caught at second slip after Tom Curran had switched to the Turner Stand End.

Despite fifties in both innings against Leicestershire at Grace Road, Rob Newton had only scored 28 in four innings at Wantage Road this season, but would double that tally by the premature close. He began positively as he hit Meaker for four boundaries in two overs, the last narrowly wide of the man in the gully.

Peters viciously cut Curran for four to bring up his half century in 63 balls, but bad light closed in and saw the players leave the field five minutes before the scheduled tea break, followed by a hail storm which left the outfield covered in a white dusting. With no further play possible, 164 overs have now been lost in the opening two days.

Northamptonshire captain Alex Wakely was content with his sides batting display and praised Peters and Newton's positive approach. "It's been a frustrating couple of days with the rain, but it's one of the things we have to deal with in English conditions. We know it's dodgy sometimes, but I think we actually ended up in quite a decent position as it was a tricky session," he said.

Surrey assistant coach Stuart Barnes admitted his side could have bowled better but was happy with the contribution of debutant Fletcher. "He has been looking forward to getting a red ball in his hand which he hasn't had much opportunity to do. It's great to have him in the changing room and he gave us a lot of control. Luke set the tone for us."