Runs galore at Edgbaston as a bore draw looms
After two days of this Division One contest, 763 runs have been scored and only 6 wickets have fallen. Surrey have replied to Warwickshire’s 665-5 with 98-1, and there is a distinct possibility that, if offered the chance, both sides would right now shake hands on a draw.
Before we get lost in a welter of statistics, something must be said about the pitch. To mis-quote Monty Python, this pitch is deceased. It has ceased to be, has expired and gone to meet its maker. It has shuffled off its mortal coil and joined the choir invisible. It is an ex-pitch.
Whether or not the nature of the pitch represents an attempt by the Edgbaston authorities to achieve a draw is unknown and beside the point, which is that the result is pretty well determined half way through the game.
On a day of bright sunshine and with a light south-westerly breeze, Warwickshire started on 364-4. Both Tom Latham and Ed Barnard began cautiously, obviously uninterested in the further 86 runs they would need to score in just 14 overs for a fifth batting point. Instead they batted steadily, Latham bringing up his personal 150 and Barnard his half-century as the stand passed 100.
Eventually, Lathom fiddled at a ball from Tom Lawes outside his off stump and edged to Ben Foakes. His 184 is the highest innings on debut by a Warwickshire player, and almost immediately afterwards, Ed Barnard hit Dan Lawrence straight into the hands of sub fielder James Taylor, who dropped the simple chance. Barnard was on 78 at the time and was to make Surrey (and Taylor) pay dearly.
Sure enough, he and Zen Malik batted up to and beyond lunch, taken at 481-5. At two pm precisely, Barnard brought up the 500 and his own century, the ninth of his first class career. Two sumptuous drives from Barnard took Matthew Fisher’s total of runs conceded into three figures, and Malik, in only his second first-class match, also played some pleasing off side shots.
Increasingly Surrey seemed to be bowling for a declaration, and so the milestones piled up: Barnard’s 150, Malik’s first 50 in first-class cricket, the 150 partnership, the 660 total and Barnard, when he reached 166, achieving a career best score. At 636, Warwickshire’s highest ever score against Surrey was reached. Malik was blossoming as the Surrey bowlers wilted. He struck Lawes into the Hollies stand and then moved into the 90s. Just after the 200 partnership was hoisted, Malik struck Lawrence back over his head for six to reach a maiden first-class hundred at the age of 27, but in only his second match, having previously trialled with a dozen counties.
Warwickshire declared at tea with their score on 665-5, Barnard on 177 and Malik on 105. In the last over before the interval, spinner Dan Lawrence had expressed his frustration with the pitch by bowling a bouncer at Malik, which could easily have decapitated Ben Foakes and was called as a wide.
The Surrey reply proceeded on similar lines to the Warwickshire innings – steady accumulation with only the odd alarm. Ethan Bamber bowled a probing spell, but the only wicket fell to that man Barnard, who had Rory Burns lbw for 27. Thererafter, Dom Sibley and Ryan Patel batted through to the close, Surrey on 98-1.
