LONDON, CMC – Veteran West Indies seamer Kemar Roach grabbed a brace of wickets as Surrey limited Warwickshire on the opening day of their Division One county clash yesterday.
The 35-year-old finished with two for 81, an effort which saw the visitors reach 318 for eight, after being asked to bat first at the Oval.
Roach accounted for Sam Hain for 17, nicking behind off the final delivery before lunch at 88 for three before returning to claim 20-year-old Barbadian Jacob Bethell for one, the left-hander edging a drive to be taken at second slip by Ollie Pope. Fast bowler Jordan Clark took the honours, however, spearheading Surrey’s attack with four for 50, while Australian pacer Sean Abbott finished with two for 51. Ed Barnard, batting at number six, held the innings together with an unbeaten top score of 96 off 156 balls in a shade under 3-¾ hours. With the innings slumping at 167 for six when Roach removed Bethell, Barnard put on 55 for the seventh wicket with wicketkeeper Michael Burgess (22) and a further 55 for the eighth wicket with Aamer Jamal (26).
Rob Yates (32) and captain Alex Davies (25) had earlier given Warwickshire a sound start of 59 before both perished in successive overs without any runs added.
Will Rhodes struck 36 in a 43-run fourth wicket partnership with Dan Mousley (25) to help repair the damage.
