Ramprakash Dominates Day 1 of the LVCC match at The Rose Bowl

ECB Match Report

Former England batsman Mark Ramprakash dominated the first day of Surrey's LV County Championship Division One match with Hampshire at the Rose Bowl with his seventh century of the season.

Along the way, veteran Ramprakash recorded the 30,000th run of his career on his way to his 94th ton.

Ramprakash was in imperious form against a Hampshire attack weakened by the absence of their inspirational captain Shane Warne and Dimitri Mascarenhas and Chris Tremlett, who were away on England duty.

Surrey had no hesitation in batting first and by close of play, after a day truncated to 84 overs by bad light, they had reached a respectable 283 for two.

There were half centuries also for Jon Batty and Mark Butcher as Surrey quickly got the better of Hampshire's decimated attack.

Hampshire had only two successes, removing Scott Newman at 36 and then there was a long gap before Batty was out.

Newman struck four resounding boundaries in his 24 before he was snapped up close to the wicket by Michael Brown, but Hampshire's torment was only just beginning.

Batty and Ramprakash put on 145 for the second wicket without being tested as Hampshire struggled to make an impact.

Hampshire captain Nic Pothas used six bowlers in a bid to break the stranglehold and it was another veteran, Shaun Udal, who finally broke through.

Udal, recalled to the side for only the fourth time this season in place of the injured Warne, had Batty picked up in the deep by James Bruce after making 55.

Batty's innings included seven boundaries and came off 162 balls but he was rapidly outscored by the dominant Ramprakash.

Ramprakash was still there at the close after he and Butcher had put on an unbroken 102 for the third wicket.

Butcher struck eight sweet fours in his unbeaten 51, but the day belonged to Ramprakash after reaching his impressive milestone.

Ramprakash was 124 not out when bad light brought a premature close to the proceedings, having faced 207 balls and struck 16 fours and a six in his 399th first class match.

Hampshire, who badly need to win this match to stay among the championship contenders, fought doggedly through the day with Udal taking one for 55 on his return, while Jamaican Daren Powell took 1-57 from 16 overs.

Scorecard 

Mark Church is reporting live ball-to ball commentary from The Rose Bowl for BBC London during the LVCC match.  Listen live with BBC LONDON

Ramprakash achieves his 94th century - 126 not out at close of play     

 

Udal claimed Batty caught by Bruce

Provide Feedback