Clinical Surrey tie visitors in knots
A victory set up by gutsy Stoneman and clinched by the quicks leaves the hosts on the cusp of the title, reports Huw Turbervill
Nottinghamshire folk call this time of year ‘goose fair weather’. For all the moaning about cricket being played in late summer, The Oval was a picture as the hosts closed in on victory. Sunshine, and crisp air. A glorious time to be alive, especially if you are a Surrey fan.
“It’s coming home,” they sang jubilantly. After commiserating with their crestfallen Notts counterparts, the home players sped into their dressing room, where some sort of stomping ritual took place. The Rey are stomping to the County Championship, the title appears to be coming home for the first time since 2002.
The visitors came into this match as one of the few sides who could stop Surrey (mathematically anyhow). It was a mismatch. The second time they had succumbed by an innings to them this summer.
The third (and final) morning was brutal, like a fox hunt. West Indies batsman Kragg Brathwaite was hit on the head by Conor McKerr. Luke Wood was smashed on the glove by Rikki Clarke. Morne Morkel was pretty much unplayable. Ollie Pope returned from England inaction to take a stunning slip catch.
Notts’ 149 looked like quite a good effort under the circumstances. They had lost the contest with their batting first time around, mustering a pitiful 101.
The match represented a personal triumph for Mark Stoneman. It has been a tough summer. He lost his England place – the latest to fail the audition to partner Alastair Cook – and at 31 knows realistically he is unlikely to add to his 11 Test caps. He has stuck at it. He returned to form with 86 against Notts at Trent Bridge, and his 144 here, after a testing start, was the 22nd first-class century of his career.
He received solid support from the classy Ben Foakes and youngster Will Jacks (who both made 48; the latter would have made way for Pope if the hosts had batted again), and Tom Curran, back to full fitness and making a sprightly 43. A total of 375 was always going to be more than enough. Wood looked quite lively for his three wickets.
Curran, not to be outdone by little brother Sam bashing 78 at the Ageas Bowl on the same day, then took five inexpensive wickets. Morkel took two and his mini-me (maxi‑me?) McKerr showed what depth Surrey have with three. Later in the match I switched off, not realising McKerr had replaced Morkel, momentarily mixing them up.
Notts were rocked by a late injury to captain Steven Mullaney, and locum captain Samit Patel had a disappointing match. Brathwaite battled hard with 60 on the third day but after he had been hit, he was out wafting. Tom Moores showed the necessary fight to please father Peter, the coach, making 29 in the first innings and 20 in the second. It was all too much for Joe’s brother Billy, in for Mullaney, out cheaply both innings, first ball second time around. At time of writing Notts still had to work to do to ensure safety.
Surrey have exceeded expectations, however. This was their eighth win, with two draws and no defeats. When they have been in trouble, or the game has been in the balance, they have found an extra gear. Morkel hauled them to victory at Scarborough and at home to Lancashire (the latter a thriller that saw the hosts triumph by six runs). Three of their last four matches are away (Essex, Worcestershire, Somerset) before the finale at home to Essex, but it would be a surprise if they choked.
Surrey were known as ‘the Manchester United of cricket’ around the turn of the millennium, and look set to dominate for years again. The only things that could hamper them are England call-ups and/or squad dissatisfaction.
Rory Burns thoroughly deserves an England chance. Pope could play for his country for years. Sam Curran likewise. Tom Curran and Plunkett may feature in next summer’s World Cup. Amar Virdi’s time may also come.
And that inflated squad. Do they really need to sign Jordan Clark, when Rikki Clarke is playing the best cricket of his career? Do they need Liam Plunkett, when his acquisition could impede the development of McKerr and co?
“I don’t see it that way,” Surrey captain Rory Burns told The Cricketer. “If a player of Liam’s quality becomes available you try to snap him up. We may not see a great deal of him anyway with the 2019 World Cup. You try to get a good group together with a strong set of seamers.
“Notts are a very good side and to knock them over again inside a couple of days is pretty pleasing. If you had sat me down at the start of the year and said we would be going as we are with a chance to win a Championship I would have bitten your arm off. Our blend of youth and experience was highlighted this week as McKerr came in and the way he bowled, the way he’s gone about it, it is very pleasing.”
Curran was as excited after his first Championshup outing of the summer. “A good win! We have played them twice this year and beaten them both times with an innings to spare. The boys are playing unbelievable cricket. Over the past few seasons the feeling among the group is that we had a bright future.
“I hope to go on an England tour this winter. A few years ago people were saying I was more a red-ball player and I came in and played white-ball cricket [for England] and now I am being labelled a white-ball one but I would see myself as a three-format player. My injuries have been only small niggles, but fingers crossed I can have a big finish to the summer and have a good winter.”
A winter that should see the Championship trophy reside at The Oval.
Huw Turbervill 
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