Honours even in rivals match
By Ben Hone
June 8 2005
Honours were even as Middlesex made 319 for 7 on the first day of the county championship match at Lords against rivals Surrey. Ed Smith and Ben Hutton put on 100 for the opening stand but Surrey fought back as they claimed 5 wickets for 36 runs.
Middlesex won the toss and decided to bat. Ed Smith and Ben Hutton then put on 100 for the opening stand, although they rode their luck on a few occasion as Surrey had many lbw shouts turned down and Tim Murtagh looked lively in the morning session. However Surrey did not have to wait long for a wicket in the second session as Hutton left a Bicknell in swinger and was subsequently bowled for 44. Bicknell then took two more wickets as Surrey claimed 5 wickets for 48 runs, this included Smith for a valuable 60. Darlymple and Weeks then added 110 for the sixth wicket. Weeks made 33 before he was bowled by Ormond, while Darlymple top scored for the ‘Sex with 77. He was finally dismissed as he mistimed a sweep shot and was caught by Newman with Harbhajan the bowler. At the close Middlesex reached 319 with Pathan unbeaten on 39 and former Surrey wicket keeper Ben Scott on 13 not out.