KNIGHT SAVES BEARS

By Ben Horne
May 4 2003

Nick Night scored 103 not out as he helped guide his team Warwickshire to a draw against Surrey at the AMP OVAL today. At one stage Warwickshire were 117 for 6 and Surrey looked to be heading for a dramatic victory. But together with Dominic Ostler (25) and bears captain Ashley Giles (33) Knight helped the bears save the game.

Surrey started the day on 349 for 7 with Alex Tudor and Martin Bicknell at the crease. But Bicknell had to retire because of an upset stomach. Surrey reached 390 all out with Alex Tudor scoring 55 and Dougie Brown taking the final two wickets. At this stage the game looked to be heading towards a draw.

Alex Tudor then ripped through the Warwickshire top order by taking three wickets to leave them 72 for 4. Nick Night and Dominic Ostler had put on 45 for the fifth wicket when Saqlain Mushtaq then took 2 wickets in 3 balls. First he had Ostler caught by Hollioake for 25 then he had Dougie Brown also caught by Hollioake for 0. Warwickshire were 117 for 6 and Surrey looked to be heading for a dramatic victory. But a partnership of 52 between Nick Knight and Warwickshire captain Ashely Giles saved the game for Waewickshire and denied Surrey their first championship win of the season. Giles was finally dismissed for 33 when he was caught by Stewart off the occasional spinner Ali Brown. As the game was heading for a draw Adam Hollioake let 39 year old wicket keeper Alec Stewart have a bowl. But unfortunatly for Surrey he did not take any wickets.

Scorecards

Warwickshire Ist innings

Knight C I Ward B Bicknell 58
Frost C Hollioake B Bicknell 74
Wagh B Ormond 136
Bell C Sub B Tudor 4
Troughton hit wicket B Tudor 17
Oster B Tudor 0
D Brown C Stewart B Saqlain M 8
Giles C Azhar M B Ormond 25
Sheikh C Stewart B Ormond 20
N Smith C Stewart B Azhar M 20
Richardson not out 20

Extras 33

Total (all out, 112.2 overs) 413

Surrey 1st innings

Butcher B Richardson 64
I Ward C Frost B D Brown 2
Ramprakash B Sheikh 45
Stewart C Knight B D Brown 50
A Brown C Sheikh B Richardson 2
Hollioake C Frost B D Brown
Azhar M C Wagh B Sheikh 25
Tudor C Knight B D Brown 55
Bicknell retired hurt 1
Saqlain M B D Brown 5
Ormond not out 5

Extras14

Total (all out, 103.5 overs) 390

Warwickshire 2end innings

Knight not out 103
Frost B Tudor 5
Wagh C Azhar M B Tudor 19
Bell B Saqlain M 13
Troughton b Tudor 0
Oster C Hollioake B Saqlain M 25
D Brown C Hollioake B Saqlain M 0
Giles c Stewart B A Brown 33
Sheikh not out 4

Total (for 7 declared) 221

Result = draw

Bonus points

Surrey 11 Warwickshire 12