Surrey vs Warwickshire: Day 1: Openers propel Surrey to 168 on a rain-affected first day

The first day of the encounter between Surrey and Warwickshire in the County championship (division one) witnessed only 45.5 overs before rain played a spoilsport. However, the magnificent batting performances by the Surrey openers led them to 168 for three at stumps on day 1. 

The Surrey skipper Rory Burns won the toss and elected to bat first under cloudy conditions as the Edgbaston wicket seemed good for batting. Burns seemed determined to prove his decision correct as he, alongside Ryan Patel, provided a solid start to the London-based cricket club. While the captain, Burns, scored 41 off 77 with the help of five boundaries, Patel made his way through to a gorgeous knock of 75 off 107 balls involving eight fours and two huge sixes. 

Although the conditions were challenging, they dealt with the Warwickshire seamers in an exemplary manner and added 117 runs in 29.5 overs before Burns was caught and bowled by Danny Briggs at the stroke of the lunch break in the sixth over of the tweaker’s spell. 

Surrey suffered a massive blow at the score of 117 just after the break as the well-set Ryan Patel was removed by Oliver Hannon-Dalby on the fourth ball of the post-lunch session. Hannon-Dalby again jolted Surrey after adding just nine more runs to their total as the experienced seamer finally shattered the timber of Hashim Amla after troubling the veteran South African for quite some time. However, the keeper-batter Ben Foakes and the talented Ollie Pope steadied the ship for Surrey and denied any further wickets to Warwickshire. 

Pope amused everyone with his glorious shots and reached the 40-run mark in just 46 balls with the help of eight boundaries. On the other hand, Foakes played a supporting role in this unbeaten 42-run stand as the Essex-born remained not out on nine off 22 balls with a solitary boundary to his name.

The rain arrived when the 46th over was in progress, and its severity ruled out the possibility of any further passage in the day’s play.

Brief Scores:

Surrey (1st innings): 168/3, Ryan Patel- 75, Rory Burns- 41, Ollie Pope- 40*, Foakes- 9*

Warwickshire bowling: Oliver Hannon-Dalby- 2/41, Danny Briggs- 1/13