Lions beat Bears

By Ben Horne
May 5 2003

Surrey beat Warwickshire by 25 runs at the AMP Oval today. Mark Ramprakash and Graham Thorpe both made half centuries as Surrey reached 281 for 8 off their 45 overs. Warwickshire could only manage 256 all out with Nick Knight making a superb century.

Surrey won the toss and decided to bat. Ian Ward and Ali Brown opened the batting and both were in sensational form. They had put on 44 in just 6 overs when Ali Brown went for one big shot to many and was caught be Alan Richardson off Wagg for 28. Ward and his new partner Ramprakash continued to hit the bowling around the park. Ward fell three short of a half century as he was caught and bowled to Giles. Ward had played a good innings but he played a very poor shot to get out. Surrey then brought in a pinch hitter in Saqlain Mushtaq but it did not work as he failed to score. Rampraksh continued to hit and he reached a half century off just 53 balls. Graham Thorpe also chipped in with a suburb half century and he was helped out by Rikki Clarke who scored 26. Surrey scored 281 for 8 off their 45 overs.

In order to reach the total set by Surrey Warwickshire needed a good start but they did not get one. They were quickly reduced to 74 for 5 with Azhar Mahmood and Alex Tudor both taking two wickets. Mahmood second wicket was that of England hopeful Ian Bell. Mahmood had Graham Thorpe to thank for this wicket as Thope took a stupendous flying catch at square leg. Dougie chipped in with a useful 25 but when he was out Warwickshire were 108 for 6 and they were staring defeat n the face. Defeat looked more likely when Ashley Gils was caught by lions captain Adam Hollioake off Alex Tudor for 10. Warwickshire were now 127 for 7. Nick Knight was still looking strong and he was then joined by all rounder Mo Sheikh. They then put on a magnificent 80 together. Sheiks made 25 and Knight hit a magnificent 105 off just 98 balls with one six and thirteen fours.. Graham Wagg and Alan Richardson put 0n 49 for the last wicket But their efforts were in vain as the Bears were all out for 256.

Surrey innings Surrey won toss

I Ward C and B Giless 47
A Brown C Richardson B Wagg
Ramprakash C and B Giles 63
Saqlain M LBW B Sheikh 0
Thorpe st Frost B D Brown 58
Clarke st Frost B D Brown 26
Hollioake C Sheikh B Richardson 6
Azhar M B Richardson 19
Tudor not uot 11
J Batty not out 11

Extras 16

Total (for 8 wickets 45 overs) 281

Warwickshir innings

Knight C Ramprakash B Hollioake 105
FrostB Bicknell 8
Wagh B Azhar M 5
Bell C Thorpe B Azhar M 8
Troughton C Jbatty B Tudor 0
Ostler C Azhar M B Tudor 12
D Brown C Bicknell B Tudor 25
Giles C Hollioake B Tudor 10
Sheikh B Bicknell 25
Wagg not out 31
Richarson C Bicknell B Hollioake 18

Extras 7

Total (all out 43.1 overs) 256

Result = Surrey won by 25 runs