Surrey vs Warwickshire | Day 3 | Matthew Lamb keeps the flag high for Warwickshire

A magnificent hundred by Matthew Lamb and two brilliant supporting knocks from Sam Hain and Dan Mousley have kept Warwickshire’s hopes alive in their opening game of the County Championship (division one) against Surrey. The three astounding batting performances were perfectly timed as these efforts rescued Warwickshire from a disastrous position. The knocks took them to a respectable total at the end of the third day. 

Kickstarting the third day from 16-2, Warwickshire suffered an early blow as Danny Briggs was dismissed for a 14-ball duck by Kemar Roach in the 14th over. Robert Yates, who looked comfortable in the middle for his 32, was also trapped in front of the stumps by the experienced West Indies seamer four overs later.

Reeling at 41 for 4, Warwickshire needed a significant partnership to revive themselves, precisely what Lamb and Hain provided. The two batters exhibited exemplary class and determination to add 157 priceless runs for the fifth wicket before Reece Topley removed the 25-year-old in the post-lunch session. The stylish right-handed batter played the role of the aggressor in the partnership and smashed 17 fours and one six on his way through to a glorious knock of 106 runs off just 138 deliveries. 

After Lamb’s departure, Hain and Mousley steadied the ship for the home side and added valuable 65 runs for the 6th wicket. But things took a dramatic U-turn for Warwickshire when Jordan Clark got rid of Sam Hain by disturbing his timbers in the 97th over of the game. The Hong-Kong-born cricketer battled hard in the middle and faced 228 balls for his 78, a knock that included seven eye-catching boundaries. Unfortunately, Mousley couldn’t carry his innings for a long time either, as he was dismissed four overs later by Clark after contributing 43 runs with the help of five boundaries. 

However, the wicketkeeper-batter Michael Burgess and the all-rounder Craig Miles played the remaining overs safely and ensured Warwickshire no further damage before the stumps. Among the Surrey bowlers, Kemar Roach was the most successful, with three scalps, followed by Jordan Clark and Reece Topley, who picked two wickets each.  

As it stands, Warwickshire are on 293-7 in their first innings and thus, trailing by 135 runs at stumps on day 3. However, with a day remaining in the match, we are hopeful of some intriguing sessions. 

Brief Scores: Warwickshire (1st inns): 293-7, Matthew Lamb- 106, Sam Hain- 78, Michael Burgess- 12*, Craig Miles- 11*

Surrey bowling: Roach- 3/82, Jordan Clark- 2/54, Topley- 2/81