Surrey v Kent at The Oval

Kent 81/4 from 31 overs Kent declared on their overnight total and Surrey took just 4 balls (friendly ones from Key) to make 17 and declare.

Bicknell with Movement and Tudor with pace caused all sorts of troubles and ruled out any chance of of Kent chasing hard by 4 wickets for under 50. Dravid looking every inch a class player and Ealham, bemused by Salisbury but happier against Bicknell, rebuilt either side of lunch.

Tea: Kent 147/5 from 57 overs After Surrey had owned the morning Ealham and especially Dravid made sure the afternoon was Kent's. Against Salisbury Dravid looked certain though Ealham appeared to have little idea where the ball was going though apart from one possible chance to slip he looked unlikely to get out. Rupesh Amin was easier for both and tended to drop a bit short. Bicknell returned just before tea and Dravid was late on his first shot, later in the over he was early and got a leading edge looping to Adam H at mid off.

Ian Salisbury swapped ends and almost had Ealham bowled and caught from the last over before tea.

After tea Nixon and Ealham continued the defiance in their different styles. Nixon with wide footed stance looking to hit the cover off every ball, Ealham with rather more reference to the coaching manual and also more circumspection both looked uncomfortable against the spin but happier against Bicknell.

However Bicknell produced a few balls that could easily have found the stumps and whenever Salisbury dropped short both players were ready to pounce, Ealham's 50 coming off a cracking square cut.

After a trip to the cricket shop to buy my ten year old wicket-keeping son a helmet. The game continued its fascinating course. Nixon warming to his theme and galloping down the pitch to drive Salisbury. Ealham starting to be severe on Bicknell then straight driving Salisbury for 6 to equal Dravid's score.

Rupesh Amin returned to the shot of the day, a glorious cover drive followed by a cut forward of square which almost matched it. Hollioake and Stewart engaged in earnest discussion between overs but without any change in tactics. Salisbury did get frequent lung exersize but didn't really look like getting an lbw.

No sooner do I send in a report detailing Kent's renaissance than Ealham aims a drive at Salisbury's googly, only to find it was a leg break which bowled him.

Nixon might have been run out when Fleming drove back hard and the ball rebounded from Amin's foot onto the stumps but without a tv umpire there was no way for it to be judged accurately. Nixon driving hard into Adam Hollioake at silly mid off forced the Surrey captain to the pavillion for a helmet and shin pads. It certainly didn't stop the wicket-keeper hitting out.

John Wright and Keith Meddlicot provided a diversion swapping places as reserve sq leg umpire periodically. Amin being smashed for 9 off an over brings Tudor back and just like Bicknell earlier his return over at the Vauxhall End produced a wicket, Fleming this time holing out to Amin at extra cover.

Tudor continued to generate a lot of pace but Amin in particular played him particularly well. Bicknell's return over at the pavillion end failed to repeat the magic. Salisbury swapped back to the Vauxhall End but only managed to get smashed back over his head for 6 by Nixon.

With Min Patel facing Salisbury's field was slip, gully, silly point, silly mid on and two short legs, but the wicket was an lbw. Masters came in ahead of Saggers but it was unclear if this was on btting ability.

Seven overs left and 76 to get Surrey finally throw caution to the winds, three slips and two gullies in the field with Bicknell over the wicket, though one slip went to fine leg and a gully to point when he went around.

With just 3 overs to go Alex Tudor returned to try to unsettle Masters and unsettle him he did, but only one ball was aimed at the stumps. Salisbury beat the bat a couple of times but Nixon was only after surviving until a wide half volley gave him a four for an excellent fifty.

Last over. Tudor. Just needs a straight ball or two.
1. Defended
2. Fast but two short
3. Better but well dug out.
4. no ball, not sure Kent are pleased by the call!
4a. lifting played down very straight bat
5. off his sleeve to the keeper and that's the lot.

Surrey will feel that they should have won this, but Ealham and Dravid's excellent partnership in the afternoon was too long in the end. A very entertaining day over all.