Surrey fail in semi

By Ben Horne
July 31 2005

Surrey failed to reach the final for the first ever time in the twent20 cup as they were suffered a 22 run defeat at the hands of Lancashire. Andy Symonds hit 53 not out as the lightenings pilled on the runs in a total of 217 for 4.

Lancashire started well as Loye and Law put on 56 in quick time for the opening wicket. Law was first to go for 38 as he was caught by Dernbach with Murtagh taking the wicket for 38. Loye and Flintoff continued to hit the Surrey bowlers. Loye was next to go as he was bowled by Doshi for 32. Doshi claimed his second wicket when he bowled Flintoff for 49 from 28 balls, this left Lancashire 138 for 3. Andy Symonds was the star of the innings as he hit 52 not out from 30 balls. Dominic Cork (23) helped the lightings reach 217 for 4, with some late hitting. Things did not go well for the lions as many simple catches were put down. Matters were made worse as Surrey were given a six run penalty as they did nit bowl their overs in time.

Surrey got of to a good start as Benning and Brown out on 93 for the first wicket. When Benning fell for 42, Newman followed soon for 3. A short rain break then halted proceedings. When play resumed Brown was run out for 51 and one run later Clarke was bowled by Crook for a duck. This left Surrey 104 for 4. Despite a partnership of 76 between Ramprakash and Mahmood, the game was over when Mahmood was bowled by Anderson and Ramps was bowled by Flintoff for 45. Surrey finished on 195 for 7, 22 runs behind Lancashire. This was the first time that Surrey have failed to reach the final of the competition, after they reached the last stage for the past two years.