County Championship 2022 Division I | Jamie Smith’s sensational ton takes Surrey to a commanding position

Ollie Pope and Jamie Smith's fightback with the bat against Gloucestershire saw Surrey finish the opening day of the County Championship match at 294 for 4.

Gloucestershire, who are still in search of their maiden win this season, won the toss and opted to field first against Surrey. Their decision looked somewhat in their favour as they promptly reduced the visitors to 37 for 3 on a grassy pitch.

However, the fielding side couldn't sustain the momentum they got on the back of brilliant bowling from David Payne and Matt Taylor, who picked two wickets each as their side dropped four catches and allowed Surrey to settle in the middle. 

Ollie Pope played a sublime knock of 84 off 175 balls to help Surrey recover from the early damage before the 21-year-old Smith, who was dropped by the opposition on the score of 48, wreaked havoc at Bristol with an unbeaten 111 from 238 balls and stood for five hours to steer his side out of a tricky situation.

Sam Curran provided some late sparks as he finished with 57 not out from 74 balls. Except for Matt Taylor and David Payne, no other Gloucestershire bowlers could manage to take a wicket as Mohammad Amir, who made a comeback to county cricket, was heavy on luck as he trapped the batters twice, but the fielders at the slip cordon couldn't cooperate as the hosts paid the price for missing the chances.  

Brief Scores on Day 1

Surrey - 294/4 in 96 overs (1st Innings)

Smith 111*, Pope 84;  

M Taylor 2/51 (22), D Payne 2/61 (20)