Batty strikes but rain halts County effort

6:55pm Wednesday 25th July 2007

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MORE rain greeted unfortunate Worcestershire as only 50 overs of play were possible on the first day of their LV County Championship match against Surrey at Guildford.

However, despite not playing any four-day cricket for nearly five weeks, the County's Gareth Batty looked like he had never been away with a superb spell of 13 overs and taking two wickets for just 27 runs as Surrey closed on 164-2.

Having won the toss and elected to bat, the hosts got off to a good start with openers Jonathan Batty and Scott Newman sharing an opening stand of 81 before the first wicket fell.

In front of the watching England chairman of selectors, David Graveney, Kabir Ali opened with an indifferent spell and he was soon switched to the opposite end having bowled just three overs.

Jonathan Batty took full advantage of some wayward seam bowling as the Surrey openers quickly rattled up the 50 partnership.

Skipper Vikram Solanki immediately brought Gareth Batty into the attack and, after a further 31 runs were added, the spinner cleaned bowled Newman for 32 in the 22nd over.

Jonathan Batty continued to dominate the bowling and together with Mark Ramprakash carried the score past 100 before his namesake struck again before lunch.

Like Newman, Jonathan Batty, on 45, tried to step down the wicket looking to play through the leg-side.

Unfortunately for the former Surrey captain, he looped the ball up into the air where Doug Bollinger took a superb catch running backwards from extra cover.

Following their first interruption, in which 15 overs were lost, Ramprakash brought up the 150 for Surrey with a brilliant cover drive in the 48th over.

Both Ramprakash and Mark Butcher remained unbeaten on 32 and 37 respectively when play was eventually called off at 5.30pm with just two further overs having been bowled.