Surrey reach 173 on bowler-friendly surface

A patient innings from Mark Ramprakash has kept Surrey in with a chance in their rescheduled C&G Trophy semi-final at Headingley. Ramprakash, who was not named in today's England squad, hit a flawless 63 as Surrey totalled 173/8 on a green, seaming wicket.

Sensing the nature of the pitch, Ramprakash was content to push the ball around for singles, hitting only four boundaries. He was superbly unflustered, bar a short period where he tried to smash Ryan Sidebottom out of sight, and it took a direct hit from Daren Lehmann to run him out.

Craig White, with four for 35, was the pick of the bowlers. He bowled quickly, claiming the vital scalps of Alec Stewart, Adam Hollioake and Rikki Clarke. The players had to leave the field four times as squally showers swept in.

Matthew Hoggard dismissed both openers, finishing with two for 21.

Darren Lehmann had no doubt in putting Surrey in after winning the toss on a grey morning. Chris Silverwood and Matthew Hoggard beat the bat frequently, with Ian Ward soon trapped leg before.

Alistair Brown was unable to play his natural game. After 25 balls and nine runs of hard graft, Brown became inpatient and slogged to third man where Michael Lumb took a neat catch.

Though Hoggard was superb, Silverwood's line strayed, with the ball swinging too much. Even so, Surrey only managed two boundaries in a tough first 15 overs which left the visitors 44/2.

Stewart battled hard, but never looked assured, and felt for a White out-swinger to gift a catch to Richard Blakey behind the stumps.

Nadeem Shahid looked to be positive, hitting a couple of boundaries. He fell for 21, caught at short-fine leg sweeping Lehmann.

Hollioake began with a flashing square drive, then lofted Sidebottom straight for four. On 16, the Surrey skipper missed a pull and was adjudged leg-before.

White struck again to remove Clarke, caught behind going for an ambitious pull shot.

After the departure of Ramprakash, Saqlain Mushtaq was superbly caught at deep cover by Anthony McGrath. Alex Tudor (17 not out) and James Ormond (five not out) saw the innings through.