Benkenstein and Muchall on top as Surrey crumble

By Jon Steer
April 24 2005

Durham keep their 100% record going with an emphatic victory over Surrey. Half centuries from Benkenstein and Muchall set up a total of 224-8 from 45 overs before Plunkett and Benkensteind blasted Surrey out for just 86.

Durham looked in trouble at 44-3 with Lewis, Hussey and Peng falling early. When Colly's wicket put the score at 77-4 things were looking bad. But Benkenstein who was already going well was joined at the wicket by Gordon Muchall and the pair shared a stand of exactly 100 before Benkenstein was out for 63 from 85 balls as they tried to increase the run rate.

Muchall continued to score as wickets fell at the other end - Mustard hit a quick 12 before Breese and Plunkett were both run out in the closing overs. Muchall finished with 70 from 64 balls. Surrey conceded 19 extras which helped push Durham's total to 224.

Surrey started well, getting to 25-0 in just over 5 overs but then Plunkett and Michael Lewis struck a double blow as both openers were removed without further score. England batsmen Graham Thorpe and Mark Ramprakash were then at the wicket but Plunkett struck at the begninning of the next over to have Ramprakash caught behind first ball and then four balls later bowled Brown to leave the score at 27-4.

Batty and Thorpe looked to be settling in when Plunkett struck again to remove Batty. Clinton joined Thorpe and again the pair seemed to playing themselves in when Dale Benkenstein took four wickets in quick succession including that or Graham Thorpe to reduce Surrey to 84-9.

Paul Collingwood wrapped up the innings two runs later as Durham completed a 138 run victory.