Mark Stoneman raises century as Surrey settle for draw at Leicestershire

Report

Chris Wright claims five-for as Stoneman shares 164-run stand with Rory Burns, who contributes 75

Surrey 324 (Burns 75, Stoneman 119, Wright 5-60) drew with Leicestershire 496 (Evans 112, Harris 101, Swindells 103, Mike 74, Virdi 6-171)

A damp outfield that delayed the start of play for nearly three hours, coming on top of the loss of the entire third day to the weather, resulted in Leicestershire and Surrey settling for a draw in their LV= Insurance County Championship match at The UptonSteel County Ground.

There was some fine cricket played in the 48 overs possible however, as after Surrey resumed on 146 without loss, Leicestershire took all ten of the visitors’ first-innings wickets for a further 178 runs.

Seamer Chris Wright led the way by picking up 5 for 60, with left-arm spinner Callum Parkinson taking three wickets as the pitch began to offer turn.

Mark Stoneman‘s fine century, made from 208 deliveries, ensured Surrey picked up three batting bonus points.

There had been speculation that with Surrey going into the final day 350 adrift on first innings, agreement might be reached regarding Leicestershire setting the visitors a target.

By the time umpires Ian Gould and Richard Illingworth decided play could start, however, there was not enough time for that to be a realistic proposition.

Rory Burns quickly became Wright’s first victim, top edging an attempted pull high to midwicket, before Hashim Amla’s full-blooded cut at Ben Mike was beautifully caught by Colin Ackermann at gully.

Ollie Pope, going for quick runs, should have been stumped off Parkinson before he was bowled by Wright, then the spinner produced a beautiful delivery that turned off middle and hit the top of Ben Foakes’ off-stump.

Jamie Smith and Jordan Clark were bowled by Wright deliveries that kept low, and Ackermann, standing wide at slip, made another fine catch to see the back of Stoneman, cutting at Wright.

Jamie Overton turned a long hop straight to midwicket, Reece Topley skied an attempted straight hit to cover and Rikki Clarke was bowled by Ed Barnes – the Yorkshireman’s first wicket for Leicestershire – to bring the innings and match to a close.