Super Styris stuns sorry Surrey
By Barmy Kev/ Ben Horne
September 21 2005
Scott Styris hit an unbeaten 104 and Ed Joyce scored 90 as Surrey look set to be relegated after day one at The Brit Oval. Surrey now need to score 400 and for a maximum of two wickets and win the match to avoid the drop. There cause was not helped as the lost Butcher and Clarke before the close.
Sorry stand on the brink of relegation after being outplayed by Middlesex on the opening day of their match at the Oval.
A quick fire start by Ed Smith gave Middx early initiative. 36 runs from 38 balls until he was out caught by Salisbury at gully chasing a wide one. At the time Hutton was on 2. Scoring rate was above 6 an over and gave good idea of Middx intent.
Hutton and Shah dug in. and put 132 for 2nd wicket. They survived 3 dropped catches at slip, including a shocker by Mark Butcher.
At 172-1, Hutton was stumped off Sacqui at 79 dancing down the wicket with a rush of blood. Soon after Shah was caught by Scott Newman at silly point. Dalrymple was caught at slip playing no shot and a mini collapse occurred as Middx were 200-4.
Then Joyce and Styris stuck the boot in with a chanceless stand of 174 for the fifth wicket.
Joyce made 90 with a century in sight he swept Sacqui to deep midwicket where Ali Brown took a simple catch.
That left Middlesex 374 for five and with 26 runs to score to gain their fifth batting point.
Crucial moment followed. Weekes was “bowled” off a Saqli no-ball at 393 depriving Sorry any more bowling points. After that Styris made 100 not out and Middx declared at 404-5.
Sorry's reply got off to the worse possible start when Mark Butcher on five was run out by Rymps throw from backward point in the third over. 7 for 1
Then Rikki Clarke played all round a straight one from Styris for 22. 40 for 2
R*mps and Scott Newman batted out the day. To leave Sorry at 59-2
Sorry need to put on a further 341 for the third wicket and then win the game to retaining their division 1 status.