LONDON, CMC – Fast bowler Ravi Rampaul grabbed three wickets to end his first first-class game in three years with an eight-wicket haul but Surrey slipped to a three-wicket defeat to Nottinghamshire in their opening game of the English County championship here yesterday.
The 31-year-old, who last month signed a two-year deal with the London club, picked up three wickets in Notts’ second innings to finish with match figures of eight for 150, following his five-wicket haul in the first innings.
His performance created a few nerves in the Notts run chase but despite his heroics, the hosts cruised to victory at Trent Bridge, after being set 169 to win.
New ball bowler Tom Curran, whose father Kevin represented Zimbabwe in 11 ODIs, claimed four for 58.
Resuming the final day on 275 for five, Surrey were bowled out for 389 with opener Arun Harinath converting his overnight unbeaten 114 into a top score of 137.
Seventeen-year-old Sam Curran, Tom’s younger brother, struck 28 after beginning the day on nought while seamer Jake Ball finished with five for 98.
Notts then got a great start in pursuit of a small total, with Greg Smith (54) and first innings century-maker Steven Mullaney (42) putting on 72.
Rampaul broke the stand when he trapped Mullaney lbw and the dismissal sparked a slide which saw five wickets tumble for 28 runs, as Notts slumped to 100 for five.
Smith and Chris Read (22) added 36 for the sixth wicket before Rampaul again came up big for Surrey, claiming the former Test wicketkeeper.
Notts lost Smith soon afterwards but held on for a nervy win.
In Southampton, former West Indies speedster Fidel Edwards picked up three wickets as his Hampshire drew with Warwickshire at the Rose Bowl.
Warwickshire started the day 283 for six in reply to Hampshire’s 202, and rallied to 360 with Test discard Ian Bell taking his overnight 130 to 174.
Edwards, who took his three wickets on Tuesday’s third day, found no success on Wednesday and finished with three for 102.
Hampshire were 185 for five in their second innings when the game wound up.
The second day was lost to rain.
